A Tribute to America's Public Servants: More Essential Than Ever
For the past 40 years, America has celebrated Public Service Recognition Week during the first week of May. This year, however, carries a markedly different tone in the wake of unprecedented attacks on public servants who have chosen careers dedicated to serving our nation. Now more than ever, government workers at local, state, and federal levels deserve not just our gratitude, but our support and respect.
Public servants are the backbone of our democracy. They protect our public lands, ensure our air remains clean and our food safe for consumption, and respond with courage when natural disasters strike our communities. They process the Social Security payments that provide dignity to our elderly and ensure veterans secure access to their hard-earned benefits. They perform countless other essential functions that lay the foundation for American life.
Unfortunately, public servants’ contributions are often overlooked or belittled. If critical government employees depart—or are made to depart in arbitrary and thoughtless ways—we will quickly discover the consequences of losing their expertise, institutional knowledge, and determination to make our country and its governance work better for everyone.
The Volcker Alliance stands immensely grateful to our nation's public servants. This week, we will share messages of appreciation and inspiration drawn from our network. We, alongside our partners, enthusiastically encourage you to join us in expressing gratitude to the public servants who have delivered for you and your community and joining with us to uphold our nation’s proud legacy of service.
