Norton Resolution Praises Federal Employees as Agencies Begin Presenting Flags to Honor Employees Killed in the Line of Duty

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives supporting the federal workforce and praising federal employees, who have "supported, defended, and been instrumental to the progress our nation has achieved through times of war and peace, recession and prosperity, and global instability and uncertainty." Norton said that Congress has long shown bipartisan appreciation for federal employees, as demonstrated by last year's legislation authorizing federal agencies to give U.S. flags to the families of federal employees who die due to employment-related injuries. "I offer this resolution as federal agencies now begin presenting flags to honor federal employees who are killed in the line of duty," Norton said.

The Norton resolution lays out the many missions of federal employees. It makes mention of significant increases in federal workforce productivity, noting that while the size of the federal workforce relative to the country's population has declined from 92 residents for every federal worker in the 1950s and 1960s to 145 residents for every federal worker in 2011, thereby placing more responsibilities on each federal employee, despite a freeze on replacing employees and on annual pay increases. The resolution points to the higher average levels of education of federal workers compared with private sector workers, and to federal employee efforts that have resulted in medical discoveries, improved health, and other scientific advances, from space exploration to biological discoveries in oceans.

"Members have varying views on federal employment issues, but I believe all would agree that our civil service consists of highly-qualified employees who often work under difficult conditions. This resolution will remind the country and federal employees themselves that the efforts of the federal workforce on behalf of the American people are inherently valuable and wholly appreciated," Norton said.

The text of Norton's resolution follows.

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the Federal workforce.

Whereas Federal employees have supported, defended, and been instrumental to the progress our nation has achieved through times of war and peace, recession and prosperity, and global instability and uncertainty;

Whereas Federal employees have demonstrated outstanding productivity as indicated by the decline in the federal workforce relative to the nation's population, with 92 residents for every Federal worker in the 1950s and 1960s to 145 residents for every Federal worker in 2011;

Whereas approximately eighty percent of Federal workers have attended college, compared with approximately sixty percent of private-sector workers;

Whereas approximately twenty-one percent of Federal workers hold masters, professional, or doctorate degrees, compared with approximately nine percent of private-sector workers;

Whereas Federal employees undertake medical research that results in vital discoveries and improved health due to improved vaccines, diagnoses, and cures, saving lives, and enabling Americans to live longer and healthier;

Whereas Federal employees have achieved extraordinary and significant new scientific advances, from space exploration in Mars to biological discoveries in oceanic waters;

Whereas Federal employees provide homeland security and protection for more than 8,000 miles of United States international land and water borders, while detecting and preventing illegal activities and contraband at the borders;

Whereas Federal employees prevent the entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons into the United States and conduct investigations to prevent national security breaches and cyber crimes;

Whereas Federal employees engage in research, development, and deployment of high-level technology and other resources for intelligence collection to protect our nation;

Whereas Federal employees ensure the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft, and provide security for, and protection of, air travelers, airports, and aircraft;

Whereas Federal employees prosecute white-collar and financial crimes, public corruption, ethics violations, and fraud against taxpayer-supported government services;

Whereas Federal employees prosecute violations of criminal laws, including felonies, narcotics charges, domestic violence and child exploitation;

Whereas Federal employees enforce federal laws in the public interest and prosecute cases in federal courts to protect civil rights and liberties;

Whereas Federal employees provide law enforcement and police protection of national borders, domestic land and territories, and federal buildings, monuments, and parks;

Whereas Federal employees perform scientific, technical, and legal work to protect American copyrights, trademarks, and patents in furtherance of our nation's progress in technology, biosciences, and international competition;

Whereas Federal employees perform research and other scientific work related to environmental and life sciences management, conservation, and resource utilization;

Whereas Federal employees inspect and oversee agricultural production and distribution throughout our nation;

Whereas Federal employees provide medical and public health services for members of the armed forces and veterans in Veterans Administration hospitals, military hospitals, and community-based clinics throughout our nation;

Whereas Federal employees are responsible for many invaluable social services, including Social Security, disability benefits, medical benefits, housing, employment, education, transportation, substance abuse, and adoption and foster care;

Whereas United States Postal Service employees ensure that every corner of our nation is connected regardless of zip code, from rural letter carriers to inner-city package-delivery services;

Whereas Federal employees have been steadfast in accomplishing their indispensable missions critical to the lives and well being of the people of the United States, while functioning during a period of recession and recovery, a hiring freeze, and a base pay freeze;

Whereas thousands of civilian Federal employees have given their lives in the line of duty for their country, whose families are now, pursuant to bipartisan legislation, receiving United States flags to honor those Federal employees: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that—

1. Federal employees should be commended for their tireless work and extensive efforts on behalf of the American people; and
2. Federal employees further should be commended for the benefits that they bring to the public welfare, to the progress of democracy, and to our great nation as a whole.

Published: June 7, 2012