Senate Proceeding on May 4th, 2009 :: 1:27:05 to 1:45:35
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1:27:02 to 1:27:22( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: quorum call: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from delaware. mr. kaufman: i ask consent that the call for the quorum be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. kaufman: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent to speak as if in morning business for 25 minutes. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. kaufman: madam president, today marks the beginning of public service recognition week. this is a time to recognize the

1:27:05 to 1:45:35( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jon Kyl

1:27:23 to 1:27:43( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: hard-working andevoted men and women who serve in our federal, state, county, and municipal governments. i want to take -- i want to make particular mention of the several progms taking place throughout the week. in celebration of our civil servants and their contribution. i know that the partnership for public service, an organization

1:27:44 to 1:28:04( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: whose mission is to highlight our finest government workers and promote public be marking the week by awarding their annual service to america medals. i congratulate the medal finalists and thank hymn them for their excellence in service to our nation. this is an appropriate occasion to addresshe subject which is so relevant to the way we face

1:28:05 to 1:28:26( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: the challenges before us as a nation. these challenges have shaken the public's condence in our financial markets, in our comirks and in our government. we must work to restore the public's confidence. so many of the solutions being presented to the rising cost of health care, to the multiple threats from overseas, to the

1:28:27 to 1:28:48( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: mortgage crisis rely primarily on the work of dedicated and dependable civil servants. the federal employees who work day in and day out to country, often at great private sacrifice, deserve our public's confidence and that is what this speech will be all about.

1:28:49 to 1:29:09( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: in the post-9/11 era of insecurity and following years of political indecision and divisive partisanship, we are left with an abundance of problems. our honored veterans complain of diminishing benefits while the young decry the increases in the cost of education, america's health care system is outdated and leaves millions yon insured,

1:29:10 to 1:29:31( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: we remain painfully addicted to foreign oil, and auto manufacturers require more public funds just to stay afloat. the sum of our challenges rises to a level unseen in decades. of course, whenever americans face difficulty, we display that greatest trait of our nature: service to the common good has

1:29:32 to 1:29:53( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: been our answer to every hardship since even before the birth birth of our republic. one would be hard-pressed to find any figure note who did not prays the virtues of commun service and volunteerism. in every neighborhood in all 50 states one can find our citizens extending their hands in help to

1:29:54 to 1:30:14( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: our fellow americans and the unfortunate throughout the world. likewise, no one can refrain from honoring the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform. their dedication and dill yens ensure our -- diligence ensure our liberty. the hard work of the service members is rightly congratulated.

1:30:15 to 1:30:35( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: but, mr. president, there are those who give so much of themselves and often so many years of their life, yet who receive hardly any share of recognition. in the recent past, the disparagement of our federal kpwhraoerbgs the greatest -- employees has become sadly commonplace. diminishing their contributions

1:30:36 to 1:30:56( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: to this nation is an all too frequent exercise. federal employees deserve recognition for their vital roles they fill each tkaeufplt many risk -- each day. many risk their lives. they care forur veterans. they toil in laboratories to create new energy technologies. our federal workers safely manage the complex networks of flights crossing our skies day

1:30:57 to 1:31:17( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: and night. they deliver our mail, regulate fair housing p conduct diplomacy abroad. they serve in all three branches of government. they are in many ways silent sent tph els of our nation -- sentinels of our nation's well-being. they have become indispensable to our national life. with a generation of federal

1:31:18 to 1:31:38( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: workers nearing retirement, we need to attract our most talented citizens back to public service. good and responsive government requires the best civil servants. throughout our history great men and women ansr the call to serve in the federal government. citizens in all walks of life and from every corner of america. there are those who dedicate their entire careers to public

1:31:39 to 1:32:00( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: service but there are also so many americans who enter federal employment for just a short period. even the novelist william falkner worked hard times as a postmaster as a young man. the nature of federal workers today is the same as it was when french de tocqueville visited in the 19th century. he observed that public office

1:32:01 to 1:32:22( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: of the united states are commingled with a crowd of citizens. they have neither palaces nor ceremony of constants. th authority is connected not only with peculiarities of american character but with the fundamental principles of that society. i too was a federal employee when i worked for 22 years for then-senator joe biden.

1:32:23 to 1:32:45( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: and can attest that to serve entails responsibility and dedication. during my years of government work, including 13 years as a member of the broadcasting board of governors, i met so many hard-working, well-qualified, devoted public servants most of whom will not be recognized individually by the public for their important contributions. the american people collectively put their faith in all who work in government.

1:32:46 to 1:33:06( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: those selected to the highest office to those like falkner working part-time for an hourly wage -flt our esteemed predecessor in this house, henry clay, of kentucky once declared government is a trust. and the officers of the government are the trustees. the trust and trustees are created for the benefit of the people. senator clay could not have been more correct.

1:33:07 to 1:33:28( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: those who serve their public carry the heavy responsibility of not working for the benefit of themselves alone but for good of all. what should be a source of pride to thoseho are employed in the federal government has become all too often a thankless job. serving in the federal government can be an enriching experience and we need to do

1:33:29 to 1:33:49( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: more among young people. i am encouraged there is a growing desire now among our best and brightest students to seek fedal jobs. for so long the lure of easy wealth on wall street and scorn for government work made our young graduates overlook positions in civil service. but it should not take a recession and popular new

1:33:50 to 1:34:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: administration to attract this talent. our young people we know are eager to take on responsibility to prove themselves worthy of others' trust. they want to be part in what president obama has called repairing the world. with more recognition federal workforce and praise for its important contribution, there is no reason why we cannot

1:34:11 to 1:34:33( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: convince these young idealistic americans to seek in government what they so desire: a role in history, a chance to world. the recent decision by kal l penn to accept a position to work in the administration advances these efforts. despite a lucrative career in

1:34:34 to 1:34:55( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: film and television, pennn announced he would take a couple years off from acting to his country in the federal government. when asked about his motives, he said it is probably because of the value system my grandparents instilled in me. not a lost financial lure is in these jobs but obviously the opportunit to serve in a capacity like this is an incredible honor. mr. president, when i was y

1:34:56 to 1:35:16( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: it used to be that this which penn speaks of drew young people by thousands though careers in our civil service. a job in government was a mark of distinction. it was arivilege to be able to work for the betterment of the american people. however, in recent years, that honor has been eroded by misconception that civil service is growing beyond measure and consists of those in washington who are out of touch with

1:35:17 to 1:35:38( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: ordinary americans. but i say, mr. president, that this characterization is completely untrue. the number of federal tkpwhraoes today has -- federal kphraoed has not -- federal employees has not grown from the size in the 1960's. 85% of federal employees live and work outside of washington.

1:35:39 to 1:35:59( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: they are ordinary americans yet they perform extraordinary work. as de tocqueville obs the qualities embodied by our civil sernts reflect the greatest values we hold dear as americans. federal employees display exemplary citizenship, choosing of their own accord toursue careers that not only provide for their families but also

1:36:00 to 1:36:20( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: benefit the nation as a whole. this is despite to private-sector kpwhroeufplt our seive certificate -- employment. our civil servants are industrious and do so with grace and humility. they often need to take risks not only to make new discoveries

1:36:21 to 1:36:41( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: in science and engineering, but to represent us in unsafe corners of the world but also to expose unnecessary waste and corruption where it may arise. the history of our civil service is filled with those who choose to uphold the public trust even when a danger to their own lives or careers.

1:36:42 to 1:37:04( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: their work requires great perseverance and results may take longer than their tenure in office. it requires great care and attention to detail. when the public' faith is bestowed upon you, there can be no half-hearted efforts. most of all, employees in our federal government display an unbelievable level of modesty. mr. president, you may wonder

1:37:05 to 1:37:27( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: why i go on about the virtues of our public servants when there are pressing matters to be considered by this body. i return to my first point. it didn't matter what programs we launch to get america back on the right path, it will be carried out by our federal workers. exemplary cases abound but i want to highlight a few individuals in particular who embody these values and reflect the excellence of our civil service as a whole.

1:37:28 to 1:37:49( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: they have been selected by a blue-ribbon panel which includes senator susan collins in concert with partnership for public service to be served a when she began her job as director of office of public housing in 2002, nicole fazon

1:37:50 to 1:38:15( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: inherited a h.u.d. rental program as a high-risk program by the government accountability office due to rampant waste, fraud and abuse. today it is recognized for receive housing assistance without wasting resou under nicole's guidance the program eliminated over $2 billion in fraudulent payment and earned praise for

1:38:17 to 1:38:40( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: streamlined operations since 9/11, there have been much attention on the security of cargo contains entering our country from overseas. leaving the charge to secure our ports, tracy tkerbgt ofhe department of energyffice of the second line of defense. under her leadership, her office has installed monitoring devices in more than 100

1:38:41 to 1:39:01( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: seaports and border crossings in detect and prevent the traffic of nuclearnd substances. she overseas mega port initiatives. in addition to her responsibility as a civil servant, tracy is commissioned as a reserve. while tracy

1:39:02 to 1:39:26( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: been fortifying our nation's second line of defense against terrorism, brave men and women remain overseas fighting the first li when our wounded warriors return home, they can thank the dedicated civilian employees of an offense -- defense department for significant advancements in the treatment and care they receive in their offices.

1:39:28 to 1:39:48( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: dave carbiars introduced new 3-d technology for bone and tissue imaging which improved trement and rehabilitation care for wounded veterans. in particular, his work helped soldiers suffering from severe burns from bombingsn iraq and afghanistan and those requiring surgery to attach prosthetic devices. these advances significantly

1:39:49 to 1:40:09( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: improved their quality of life. believe it or not, dave is only 25 years of another public servant who i very much want to mention is dr. raji jahn. in year it is estimated two million patients develop infections while in hospitals for routine procedures.

1:40:10 to 1:40:30( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: 100,000 of these patients die as a result and the elderly and newborn are particularly susceptible. this tkorbg is at the forefront of an effort to reduce these infections. the infection rate at their v.a. facility has already dropped 60% and the strategy developed by rajiv has been adopted by all

1:40:31 to 1:40:51( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: 153 v.a. hospitals. when asked about his work, he explains that one infection is too many. the final who works at the department of energy has proven wrong those who are convinced that government can't do something right.

1:40:52 to 1:41:12( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: at the end of the cold war, when plant near denver a superfund site it was estimated it would take 70 years and nearly $40 billion to clean it up. many advocated a permanent quarantine of the site. frazier lockhart took charge of the cleanup effort in 1995 and

1:41:13 to 1:41:34( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: finished the job in ten years, spending only $7 billion. today 95% of the original site has been delisted from the superfund and we set aside as a 6,200 acre wildlife refuge. fray stker's percent -- fray

1:41:35 to 1:41:55( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: sherr's perseverance led to the clean mr. president, these stories are a few of the countless many. there are a great number of exceptional federal employees and i hope to continue sharing their stories before the senate in honoring their service over the coming weeks and months beginning with this group. i invite fellow senators to join me on those o other occasions in doing the same.

1:41:56 to 1:42:17( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: these men and women daily carry out the work of developing new technology, protecting our free markets, ensuring a cleaner environment and advancing our interests around the world. i believe that the fnders fulfillhe need for vibrant and effective civil service and they will be proud of the federal employees serving today.

1:42:18 to 1:42:38( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: when the first congress convenes in 1789 its first matter of business was to fulfill an obligation set to it by the constitution. article 6 declares that all public officers are to be bound by an oath or affirmation to support the constitution. the document leaves it up to the congress to decide on the form. the first piece of legislation ever to be passed by the united

1:42:39 to 1:42:59( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: states law by president washington codified this simple but poignant oath. i do solemnly swear or affirm that i will support the constitution of the united states in the years since it has been expanded to the oath presently taken by all of us who serve here in this chamber and the house of representatives and by

1:43:00 to 1:43:20( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: every federal employee. the underlying point remains unchanged from that original oath. what the founders intended in their first act of government and what we now reaffirm with each taking of is that everyone who serves in our government is not only obligated to support the with that responsibility.

1:43:21 to 1:43:41( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: that trust, the same noted by clay, is the foundation of our civil service. it is the guiding principle of our federal workers and the reason whyhey deserve the public's confidence. careers in government, we know, frequently pay far less than comparable careers in the private sector and many times our federal employees are asked to move overseas to perform their duties.

1:43:42 to 1:44:03( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: many serve for 20 years or more leaving a lasting impact on communities and national policies without special recognition. they never see bonuses like those paid on wall street or elsewhere in the however, after many years of service, when our civil servants retire they can look back on thei careers and know with certainty that when their country thaoeded them, they --

1:44:04 to 1:44:25( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: need them, they gave of themselves. they gave to our nation and they know their contribution, even if little recognized, has been genuine and significant. this is their bonus. this is their bonus. the satisfaction and the knowledge that ty have answered the call to duty, that their lives surely served a meaningful purpose. mr. president, again, please let it be noted the first week of

1:44:26 to 1:44:48( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: may each year is phrarbgd as public -- is marked as public service recognition week a is with great pride i honor the rvice and sacrifice of our federal employees. i thank them and i urge my colleagues to join me this week and in future weeks to thank them for their continued work in support of our recovery during this challenging time. i yield the floor

1:44:49 to 1:45:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the mr. kaufman: i would like to call off the quorum. i have a unanimous consent for a committee and it has the approval of the majority and minority leaders i ask consent that it request be agreed to and

1:45:11 to 1:45:33( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Kyl: this request be record. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. kaufman: absence of a quorum.