On Sunday, President Obama issued a presidential proclamation officially recognizing May 3 through May 9, 2015 as Public Service Recognition Week. Since 2011, federal employees have been subjected to countless attacks on their pay, pensions and livelihood. No group has been asked to sacrifice more in the name of deficit reduction than federal employees, being stripped of more than $159 billion by Congress. And with President Obama entering the final stretch of his presidency, he is finally signaling an acknowledgement of the difficulties federal employees have endured in recent years.
“Despite tough circumstances — including pay freezes, budget cuts, sequestration and a political climate that too often does not sufficiently value their work — these exceptional leaders continue to make real the fundamental truth that people who love their country can change it,” he said.
In his proclamation, the first of its kind during his presidency, he recognized the important work civil servants accomplish every day and that an unyielding call to service is what drives federal employees to carry out the business of the American people.
“A Government of, by, and for the people is sustained only through the hard work and extraordinary sacrifice of millions of citizens willing to serve the country they love. From the moment an early band of patriots first came together to secure the blessings of liberty for all, public servants have worked to create a more perfect Union,” he said.
In closing, the President also affirmed his support of initiatives taken by his administration to recruit and retain tomorrow’s federal employees, “My Administration is advancing efforts to train and develop the next generation of civil servants and equip them with the skills to lead change, build coalitions, and collaborate across Government to solve big problems. We are also finding new ways to improve how we recruit, empower, and retain the most diverse and very best talent, ensuring careers in public service will continue to attract the brightest of the coming generations.”
To read the full proclamation, click here. Public Service Recognition Week continues through May 9, 2015.
