FMA HONORED TO CELEBRATE PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK, ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO JOIN - May 4, 2010

The Federal Managers Association is a proud member of the Public Employees Roundtable, which sets Public Service Recognition Week in motion each year.

Alexandria, VA - This year's Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), the annual celebration honoring the men and women serving our nation as military, federal, state, county and local government employees, kicks off on May 3, highlighted by a multi-day event held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. from May 6 - May 9. The Federal Managers Association (FMA) is proud to spend this week honoring the men and women who serve our country in the military and as civilians.

Celebrated since 1985, PSRW provides public employees throughout the U.S. and around the world with an opportunity to educate American citizens about the work they do and why they have chosen public service careers. PSRW also serves as a platform to showcase the many ways government services help in making life better for all of us.

FMA is proud to be a member of the Public Employees Roundtable (PER) at the Partnership for Public Service, which coordinates the PSRW events each year. The Public Employees Roundtable was established in 1982 as a nonpartisan coalition of more than thirty Washington-based organizations striving to balance rhetoric that maligned and minimized the nation's public servants. With its member organizations and congressional support, PER started Public Service Recognition Week in 1985 with a grand celebration on the National Mall that gave citizens a behind the scenes view of how their government works.

"Having been a public servant for over 25 years, I thank the Partnership for Public Service for drawing much-needed attention to the many services and benefits civil servants provide for this country," commented FMA National President Patricia Niehaus. "During this week, the public will have the opportunity to learn how critical government employees are to the safety, well-being and progress of our county. In addition, the week serves as another way to showcase careers in public service to those talented individuals who will carry the torch as our leaders of tomorrow."

The capstone celebration held every year on the National Mall routinely features more than 100 government offices and agencies, nonprofit organizations and private companies sponsoring interactive and educational exhibits that display the innovative and quality work performed by public employees. This year's theme is "Innovation and Opportunity," and the Mall event will feature a variety of exhibits showcasing how individuals can pursue careers in the civil service.

The PSRW Opening Ceremony will kick off at 11:45am on Thursday, May 6, 2010. FMA encourages you to stop by and hear from Administration officials including Honorary Co-Chair Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry and GSA Administrator Martha Johnson. The event will be on the National Mall between 4th and 7th St NW (across the street from the Air and Space Museum).

During the four-day celebration on the National Mall, attendees will see government programs in action. Kids can meet public service heroes and federal agency mascots, listen to music from the Air Force rock band Max Impact, and take home free educational buttons, coloring posters and maps and puzzles. Adults and students interested in joining the civil service can learn about career opportunities in a wide variety of fields, from medical and public health to energy and the environment, while receiving tips to landing a federal job.

Several Members of Congress have expressed support for PSRW through introduction and cosponsorship of resolutions (H.Res. 1247/S.Res. 481) in the House and Senate commending public servants for their contributions to the American public. The resolutions recognize the men and women of the federal workforce who have lost their lives while serving the nation and encourage efforts to promote civil service careers during the week and beyond. The Senate passed its resolution last week and the House is poised to follow suit later this week.

"PSRW is a time set aside to appreciate the work of government at all levels and the impressive employees we rely on every day," continued Niehaus. "With public perception of our government at an historically low level, this week is especially crucial to informing the public of the positive work civil servants do for this county. From nurses tending to wounded veterans to scientists developing crucial vaccines, our nation's military and public workers provide immeasurable services. Please take a moment to say 'thank you' this week."

For more information on the National Mall events or how to celebrate public service in your area, please visit: http://publicservicerecognitionweek.org.