Public employees applauded during Public Service Recognition Week May 1-7

Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) was joined by Representatives Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) in introducing a bipartisan resolution designating May 1-7, 2016 as Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW).

The resolution commends federal, state, county and local government employees as well as members of the uniformed services for their tireless and dedicated efforts and details the significant contributions that public servants have made to the United States. It celebrates the millions of innovative, highly-skilled men and women who have chosen lives of service to others—whether by defending freedom, fighting crime, promoting public health, or teaching the next generation of servant leaders.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the men and women who consider public service a calling,” said Rep. Wittman. “Federal workers are effecting positive change in every community and in every state across the country. Congress charges these men and women with filling critical gaps, and each day, they perform those duties with precision. For years now, we’ve seen Washington use our public servants as pawns, and I have long stood in opposition to that kind of political gamesmanship. We can’t continue to ask our federal workforce to do more with less. It’s time for us to honor their patriotism and put our full support behind them and the important work that they do. I thank my colleagues for joining me in that effort.”

“Public service is no less noble today than when John F. Kennedy called us to serve in his inaugural speech,” said Rep. Connolly. “Our federal employees are our nation’s unsung heroes, though they are rarely recognized as such. They ensure that the food we eat, the prescription drugs we take, the air we breathe, and the water we drink is safe. They make sure that Social Security checks arrive on time, protect us from terrorist and foreign adversaries, keep our air travel safe, and conduct thousands of other important functions that directly impact the quality of our lives in every community on a daily basis. During this Public Service Recognition Week, we should all take an opportunity to thank our federal employees for their dedicated service. ”

“Our public servants, from all federal employees and members of our military as well as those who serve on the state and local level, will always be essential to the success of our country,” said Rep. Comstock. “From my time as a federal employee working on these issues with Congressman Frank Wolf, I have always recognized the many sacrifices government employees and the military make on a daily basis to advance and protect the lives of our citizens. I am pleased to join my colleagues in recognizing this week as Public Service Recognition Week.”

“Public employees—federal, state, county, and city—form the vital thread from one level to the next in our federal republic,” said Rep. Norton. “In order to keep attracting the best and brightest individuals to work for their country, it is imperative that elected officials give them our full support and appreciation.”

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia, which includes part of Prince William County. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.