Civil service draws praise during public service week

Lawmakers lavished public servants with praise as the federal government on Monday marked the beginning of the annual Public Service Recognition Week.

The Senate unanimously passed a resolution last week commending government workers for their dedication and their service to the country.

"It is important that we recognize the more than 18 million individuals in public service in cities, counties and states across America who remain committed to serving our nation each day," said Sen. Susan Collins, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. "I want to personally thank all of these professionals who contribute to the general welfare of the United States."

The ranking Democrat on the committee, Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, was a co-sponsor of the resolution.

"For their dedication and service to this country, public servants deserve our respect and gratitude," Akaka said.

The week's events are sponsored by the Public Employees Roundtable, which is part of the nonprofit advocacy organization, The Council for Excellence in Government. The event educates the public about the positive effect of the federal government in their lives. Akaka praised the occasion as an opportunity to recruit a new generation of federal government workers.

"Public Service Recognition Week is a time to call on a new generation of Americans to consider public service," he said. "Through job fairs, special exhibits and agency sponsored education programs, Public Service Recognition Week provides an opportunity for individuals to gain a deeper understanding of the exciting and challenging work in the federal government."

The resolution was also co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del.; Tom Coburn, R-Okla.; Norm Coleman, R-Minn.; Carl Levin, D-Mich.; Joe Lieberman, D-Conn.; and George Voinovich, R-Ohio.

The showcase event of the week will take place on the National Mall in Washington, from May 5 - 8. According to the Office of Personnel Management, more than 100 agencies are scheduled to present exhibits that promote their employees and their work.

One outside group, however, said lawmakers and advocacy organizations still have to make the effort to convince the public of the importance of the federal government and the benefit of working in the public service. On Monday, the Partnership for Public Service released a compilation of polling on attitudes toward the government workforce. According to a 2004 Partnership study, only 28 percent of recent college graduates said they were "very interested" in a federal government job.

"Our government's work is vital, but it is also in jeopardy because not enough people are being inspired or encouraged to serve," said Max Stier, president of the partnership.