Public Service Recognition Week | Biography
During the recognition week, the initial proclamation statements are issued by the head of the offices, including the presiding President. Then award ceremonies, charity functions, and special tributes are organized by governors, mayors, and other public agencies. And they are conducted to mark the service of excellence provided for the proper functioning of the government.
The week of the year when civil servants or public employees are honored is public service recognition week.
What is Public Service Recognition (PSR) week?
Since 1988 the United States government has celebrated the first week of May as Public Service recognition week. The week which falls from 2 May to 8 May, commenced to respect and honor the contributions made by the public service officials in all sectors of the government.
Statistically, over 19.77 million officials are working at the state and local levels, followed by 2.93 million at the federal level of government in 2020, excluding the non-civilian officials.
During the recognition week, the initial proclamation statements are issued by the head of the offices, including the presiding President. Then award ceremonies, charity functions, and special tributes are organized by governors, mayors, and other public agencies. And they are conducted to mark the service of excellence provided for the proper functioning of the government.
Who started the PSR week?
The 40th President Ronald Wilson Reagan began the proclamation of public service recognition week. He served in the White House from 1981 to 1989, where he had preceded James Earl Carter Jr., and got succeeded by George H. W. Bush. He had won the 1980 presidential nomination from the republican house by 489 votes against former president Carter.
At the beginning of his reign, America was in the middle of an international pressure brought by the Iran conflict, beacuse of which the defense agencies were running on a deficit. But on the other hand, the economic market was trying to curb inflation and, at the same time battling the grave situation of an increase in unemployment.
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However, his government's initiatives, which were infamously named the Reagan Revolution, included privatization as a strategy to make the market independent from the government, followed by decreasing federal expenditures and cutting taxes, and others. As a result, and historically, Reagan Revolution resolved the national and international troubles without depression and regression.
And to commemorate the support public officials gave him in times of such crisis, he issued the Proclamation on Public Service Recognition Week.
Proclamation on Public Service Recognition Week
Proclamation 5813 established the Public Service Recognition week in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. The issued statement instated the period from the first week of May from the 2nd to the 8th day.
"In recognition of the indispensable contributions made by government employees, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 242, has designated the period commencing 2 May, 1988, and ending 8 May, 1988, as 'Public Service Recognition Week' and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation calling for observance of this week." - Proclamation 5813
Followed by that, President Reagan also took a formal oath to mandate the PSR week on the proclamation. He also encouraged all the levels of the government to celebrate the week with appropriate ceremonies to honor the work conducted by the officials.
"Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of 2 May, 1988, through 8 May, 1988, as Public Service Recognition Week. I urge the people of the United States and all levels of government to participate in appropriate ceremonies to recognize the vital role of government employees." - Proclamation 5813
Recap 2021 by President Biden
Every year the presiding President issues a statement commencing the Public Service Recognition Week by recognizing the work of excellence and amendments made by the present office for the betterment of public officials. In 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. issued his statement based on two major circumstances: the pandemic survival and an increase in the federal worker's minimum wage.
Primarily, he noted the efforts made by each administration on all levels of government during the unprecedented times of the pandemic. He stressed in his statement,
"In the toughest of circumstances and often at great personal sacrifice, our public servants tackle the most complex problems facing our communities. Whether developing public health guidance and working across agencies to safely reopen schools during the pandemic, partnering with the private sector to develop and distribute vaccines, keeping small businesses' dreams alive, or combating natural disasters in their hometowns, public servants demonstrate their commitment to our Nation every day."
- President Biden 2021 Proclamation
After which, he added that their contribution and act of generosity toward their responsibilities demanded protection and honor. He signed an executive order to increase the minimum wage per hour to 15 dollars for employees working under a Federal contract. And he also recommended extending the federal policy to allow the employees certain time off during election season to vote.
Upcoming event of 2022
For the PSR week 2022, every office conducts various functions and engagements to honor its employees. For instance, the Office of Financial Management, Washington, celebrates the PSR week from 1 to 7 May with the Seattle Mariners game, Spokane and Tri-Cities events, and engagement activities for online workers.
In addition, universities have also initiated the tradition of celebrating the National Public Service Recognition Week with lecture series, tributes, alumni honors, etc. Such as, the University of New Mexico School of Public Administration (SPA) hosts an annual seminar entitled 'Arthur A. Blumenfeld Endowed Lecture.
