You know firsthand the vital and sometimes heroic work your employees perform on behalf of the American people. Everyday, you meet more public servants within your agency and across our country who rise to meet the needs and challenges of our time.

Unfortunately, too few Americans see and hear stories about what government, and the people who serve in government, have done well. They don’t see headlines about federal leaders who have streamlined operations and saved hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars in a single year. The don’t hear campaign speeches that applaud federal scientists who have created faster, more secure communications; or designed more energy efficient buildings at no additional cost; or discovered new, effective treatments for rare and fatal diseases.

During the week of May 6-12, 2012, please join us in celebrating Public Service Recognition Week by taking time to acknowledge the value of our federal workers and the services they provide the American people, and by finding opportunities to communicate that value to the broader public.

Since 1985, the President and Congress have designated the first week of May to honor the men and women who serve our country as federal, state, county and local government employees and who ensure that our government is the best in the world. There are several things you can do to participate that require very little time and investment.

Internally, take a moment to greet your employees at the door and thank them for their service, or send an all-staff message of appreciation. Consider convening your SES or other executive leadership to re-energize their commitment to the agency’s mission and to their employees.

Externally, challenge your public affairs teams to circulate profiles of high-performing agency employees and the results they have delivered, highlighting areas where they have reduced spending while meeting increasing demand. In particular, if your agency has recent or upcoming award presentations, ensure that the honorees are recognized publicly via your agency’s website and social media tools.

We know stories of effective and innovative government exist within each and every agency. We know that federal employees deliver unmatched dedication and creativity to meet our nation’s increasing and ever-changing challenges. Collectively, we need to ensure these stories reach the people they so ably and passionately serve.

If you would like additional information about PSRW and how your agency can get involved, please visit www.psrw.org or send an email to the Partnership for Public Service at psrw@ourpublicservice.org.