Since 1985, the President and Congress have designated the first week of May to honor the men
and women who serve our country as federal, state, county and local government employees
and who ensure that our government is the best in the world. The Atlanta federal community
will celebrate the week of May 1-7, 2011 as Public Service Recognition Week. Highlighting
the week’s activities is The Employee of the Year Awards Luncheon to recognize federal
achievements in 15 categories ranging from outstanding manager to outstanding team work;
and from outstanding volunteerism to outstanding heroism. More than 300 employees were
nominated because they epitomize the phrase, Employees Excelling Extraordinarily, the theme
of this year’s celebration. They care about the people they serve. Federal employees are a part
of the 52,000 metropolitan Atlanta’s dedicated federal professionals who make tremendous
contributions each day.
In addition to their effective and efficient services they perform in their official capacity, they
also give back to the community. For example, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) team
will be recognized for their efforts in leading Federal employees to donate or pledge over $4.7
million for charitable giving during the 2010 campaign. The CFC is the largest workplace giving
campaign in the world and in the 50 years of its history, Federal employees collectively have
given over $7 billion to nonprofit organizations. Also, during the week, Federal employees will
donate, prepare, and feed the youth at Covenant House Georgia each night. Quilts depicting
public service will be on display in the lobby of the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center. These
quilts were commissioned as a part of the Federal Executive Board’s Leadership Government
team project and crafted by Senior Citizens in seven Senior Citizens Centers in Metropolitan
Atlanta, Georgia. Educational materials on public service careers was distributed to nine
metropolitan school district social science coordinators, and federal employees have provided
preparation for the next generation of employees through mentoring, interview skills training and
job shadowing to high school and college students.
Former U. S. Senator Paul Sarbanes was correct in his assessment that, “All Americans owe
a debt of gratitude to those individuals who have dedicated their lives to public service
and, through that service, have made invaluable contributions to our Nation’s growth and
prosperity.”
Renard L. Murray, D. M.
Chair, Atlanta Federal Executive Board and
Regional Administrator, Atlanta and Dallas Regions
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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