Presidential Rank Award winners announced

President Bush honored 345 federal executives Monday with the government's top awards for outstanding service. Bush saluted the 2001 Presidential Rank Award winners during his address to the Senior Executive Service at Washington's Constitution Hall. Sixty-five executives were honored as Distinguished Executives for major accomplishments in carrying out government goals and policies. Each Distinguished Executive receives a lump-sum payment of 35 percent of their base pay, a gold pin and a framed certificate signed by President Bush. The other winners, dubbed Meritorious Executives, will receive a lump-sum payment of 20 percent of base pay, a silver pin and a framed certificate signed by the President. Twenty winners came from the Commerce Department, the most the agency has ever had. "Today we honor their exceptional performance," Bush said Monday. "Their work covers a tremendous range of issues, yet they share some things in common, an outstanding work ethic, commitment to public service and pride in a job well done." During his speech, Bush honored the memory of one meritorious executive, Bryan C. Jack, the former director of the Programming and Fiscal Economics division at the Defense Department. Jack was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77, the plane that crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11. "He was a brilliant mathematician and top budget analyst," said Bush, describing Jack. Jack's widow, Barbara Rachko, attended the ceremony. "The nation is on bended knee with you," Bush told her. This year's Distinguished Executives were recognized for a variety of accomplishments. Federal Service Supply Commissioner Donna D. Bennett, for example, restructured the federal government's purchase, travel and fleet card programs into the General Services Administration's SmartPay program, among other achievements. Michael P. Dombeck, chief forester for the Forest Service, worked closely with members of Congress to change to the way payments to states from Forest Service revenues are calculated, and Yvonne T. Maddox, deputy director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, who was recognized for helping the National Institutes of Health reduce infant mortality rates through educational campaigns and the introduction of new treatments. The President praised the group of career employees and political appointees, commending them on their efforts since the attacks, but also noting the contributions SES members made prior to Sept. 11. "Those of you in high places of government are more than administrators and experts," said Bush. "You hold the ideals and hopes of the nation in trust. And I want to thank you for your willingness to serve our great nation."