IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 371 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the United States during Public Service Recognition Week. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 9, 2023 Mr. CONNOLLY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the United States during Public Service Recognition Week. Whereas the week of May 7 through 13, 2023, has been des- ignated as ‘‘Public Service Recognition Week’’ to honor employees of the Federal Government and State and local governments and members of the uniformed services; Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an oppor- tunity to recognize and promote the important contribu- tions of public servants and honor the diverse men and women who meet the needs of the United States through work at all levels of government and as members of the uniformed services; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:10 May 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR371.IH HR371 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 371 IH Whereas millions of individuals work in government service, and as members of the uniformed services, in every State, county, and city across the United States and in hun- dreds of cities abroad; Whereas Federal employees provide crucial customer service to millions of Americans, including students getting ready to advance their educations, small business owners seek- ing low-cost financing, veterans needing health care after their service, victims of natural disasters, retirees apply- ing for their earned benefits, and many more; Whereas public service is a noble calling involving a variety of challenging and rewarding professions; Whereas the ability of the Federal Government and State and local governments to be responsive, innovative, and effec- tive depends on outstanding performance of dedicated public servants; Whereas the United States continues to reaffirm the critical importance of public service employees in responding to public health and economic challenges; Whereas the United States is a great and prosperous coun- try, and public service employees contribute significantly to that greatness and prosperity; Whereas the United States benefits daily from the knowledge and skills of the highly trained individuals who work in public service; Whereas public servants— (1) defend the freedom of the people of the United States and advance the interests of the United States and the ideals of democracy around the world; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:10 May 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR371.IH HR371 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HRES 371 IH (2) provide vital strategic support functions to the Armed Forces and serve in the National Guard and Re- serves; (3) fight crime and fires; (4) ensure equal access to secure, efficient, and af- fordable mail service; (5) deliver benefits under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), including benefits under the Medicare Program under title XVIII of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.); (6) fight disease and promote better health; (7) protect the environment and the parks of the United States; (8) enforce laws guaranteeing equal employment op- portunity and healthy working conditions; (9) defend and secure critical infrastructure; (10) help the people of the United States recover from natural disasters and terrorist attacks; (11) teach and work in schools and libraries; (12) develop new technologies and explore the Earth, the Moon, and space to help improve knowledge on how the world changes; (13) improve and secure transportation systems; (14) promote economic stability and growth; and (15) assist veterans of the Armed Forces; Whereas members of the uniformed services and civilian em- ployees at all levels of government make significant con- tributions to the general welfare of the United States, and are on the front lines in the fight to defeat terrorism and maintain homeland security; Whereas public servants work in a professional manner to build relationships with other countries and cultures in VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:10 May 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR371.IH HR371 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 4 •HRES 371 IH order to better represent the interests and promote the ideals of the United States; Whereas public servants alert Congress and the public to gov- ernment waste, fraud, and abuse, and of dangers to pub- lic health; Whereas the individuals serving in the uniformed services, as well as the skilled trade and craft employees of the Fed- eral Government who provide support to their efforts, are committed to doing their jobs regardless of the cir- cumstances, and contribute greatly to the security of the United States and the world; Whereas public servants have bravely fought in armed con- flicts in the defense of the United States and its ideals and deserve the care and benefits they have earned through their honorable service; Whereas public servants have much to offer, as demonstrated by their expertise and innovative ideas and serve as ex- amples by passing on institutional knowledge to train the next generation of public servants; Whereas legislative branch employees, including members of the Capitol Police and officers of the House of Represent- atives and Senate ensure the smooth functioning of Con- gress and the safety and security of Members of Con- gress, their staffs, and visitors to the Capitol complex; Whereas legislative branch employees working for Members of Congress, congressional committees, and legislative branch agencies work tirelessly to serve constituents and support Congress in fulfilling its constitutional obliga- tions; Whereas public servants have decisively and resolutely re- sponded to conflicts around the globe, such as the evolv- VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:10 May 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR371.IH HR371 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 5 •HRES 371 IH ing crisis in Ukraine, through creative diplomatic ap- proaches; and Whereas the week of May 7 through 13, 2023, marks the 39th anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘Public Service 2 Recognition Week’’; 3 (2) commends public servants for their out- 4 standing contributions to this great country during 5 Public Service Recognition Week and throughout the 6 year; 7 (3) salutes government employees, and mem- 8 bers of the uniformed services, for their unyielding 9 dedication to and enthusiasm for public service; 10 (4) honors government employees and members 11 of the uniformed services who have given their lives 12 in service to their communities and their country; 13 (5) calls upon a new generation to consider a 14 career in public service as an honorable profession; 15 (6) encourages efforts to promote public service 16 careers at all levels of government; and 17 (7) expresses gratitude to the Federal workers 18 who have selflessly answered the call to serve their 19 country. 20 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:10 May 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR371.IH HR371 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB