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A Commitment to Admire
While the political winds may shift in Washington, the nonpartisan civil servants in every state and territory are part of the bedrock of our democracy.
A historic government shutdown. A deadly, global pandemic. An administration hostile to the federal workforce.
The past few years have been turbulent for federal employees, but they rose to the occasion. Even as their personal and professional lives have been disrupted, they have delivered for the American people. In ways most people never see, their work protects the public health, the economy and the nation’s security, every day.
Their perseverance is not a coincidence. The skilled professionals throughout our civil service dedicate themselves to serving the public, especially in times of turmoil. They believe that government can solve problems and that the missions of their agencies are important, which is why they swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and joined the federal workforce.
Public Service Recognition Week is when we pause and reflect on that principled and admirable motivation. It is not fame or fortune that civil servants seek, but the profound satisfaction that comes with serving their fellow Americans. Their success is not measured in profit margins, but in services delivered for the greater good. They are taxpayers who work for their fellow taxpayers. Our democracy does not function without them.
Federal employees live and breathe the commitment they made when they joined the government. They signed up to serve their country whether in a uniform or behind a desk or in a lab coat.
While the political winds may shift in Washington, the nonpartisan civil servants in every state and territory are part of the bedrock of our democracy. They remain focused on the mission.
During his first 100 days in office, President Biden and his administration have shown a commitment to building up the federal workforce. We now have agency leaders who view federal employees as partners and an administration and who look to the workforce to help solve problems—not as the problem to solve.
As a country, we can look forward to a well-resourced, merit-based and respected federal workforce unleashing its full potential and navigating our country through crisis, expanding the economy and improving the lives of every American.
Tony Reardon is the National President of the National Treasury Employees Union.