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The work of federal, state and local civilian and military employees nationwide will be recognized this week.

Public Service Recognition Week, held annually since 1985 during the first full week of May, is designed to educate citizens about the many ways in which government serves them. Official events run from Monday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 7 on the National Mall in Washington.

The week begins with a naturalization ceremony for 25 new citizens, including several military personnel. Public servants also will be recognized Monday evening at the GEICO Public Service Awards and reception at the National Archives Building in Washington. GEICO awards will be given to four active federal employees in the following categories: substance abuse prevention and treatment, fire prevention and safety, physical rehabilitation and traffic safety and accident prevention. The event also will honor one retired federal employee for contributions made in one of those four fields since leaving the government.

Tuesday opens with a breakfast and panel discussion at The Washington Post to discuss a new report by the Gallup Organization and the Council for Excellence in Government titled "Generation Y's Thoughts on Politics, Government and Public Service."

Wednesday kick offs with another breakfast, this one featuring Linda Springer, director of the Office of Personnel Management. At 1 p.m., 20 individuals will offer innovative ideas on how to improve government management as part of FedPitch -- a forum designed to trigger new ideas on improving government service.

Throughout the week, more than 100 federal agencies and subcomponents within the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, Labor, Transportation and others will operate booths on the Mall to explain their missions and programs.

Visitors to the Mall also will have the opportunity to explore a U.S. Postal Service mobile command center, which serves as an incident command site for postal inspectors during responses to major events. Visitors also can write messages of support to American troops, take in a crime scene investigation lab, sign a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and meet government mascots like Smokey Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog.

The full celebration extends beyond the nation's capital, with more than 250 governors and mayors across the country recognizing public servants this week.

Meanwhile, the House and Senate have approved resolutions to recognize the efforts of government employees. The measures (S.Res. 497 and H.Res. 1073), sponsored by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawaii, and Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., commend public servants for their contributions and honor those employees who have given their lives in service to the country.

"I urge everyone to take notice of the public employees they interact with during any given week and offer him or her, a heartfelt 'thank you," said Darryl Perkinson, president of the Federal Managers Association. "PSRW reminds us all to appreciate the work of government at all levels and the stellar employees we rely on every day."

For a complete list of the week's events, click here.

COMMENTS

• This year's PSRW is a disappointment. Changing the schedule to weekdays only has resulted in many who would have attended not being able to do so this year. For the past 15-plus years, the event ran Thursday through Saturday, allowing workers who could not get to the Mall while they were doing the work being celebrated to attend on Saturday. Children in school, esp. outside of DC, will ot get the chance to learn about Federal government agencies. I am sure that the decision to change was made to accommodate womeone, but it certainly was not all of the target the audience. William Posted May 7, 2008 9:07 AM
• I'm sure the VA will be there to be honored Dan ketter Posted May 6, 2008 11:51 AM
• Federal employees know the work they do is vital to America. But my sense of the purpose is that these events are really not about the average federal employee, but more about those who steer the business of the federal agencies they work for. These showcases, should follow the game show "Price is Right" and have a value affixed to them. Let's see the value of the failed new personnel systems of DHS and DOD. As an added enticement, we could show what that cost would have purchased in something that really would have mattered. Improved infrastructure and inspections to prevent failing bridges. Body armour and armour kits for military personnel. Maybe some disaster relief for those American's who lost their homes. Let's leave the federal employees that bust thier humps every day for us, do their jobs and quit tormenting them with the politically correct buzz words and catch phrases of the day. Mark Gibson Posted May 5, 2008 5:28 PM