Travis County Commissioners Court
April 8, 2008
Item 3
3. Approve proclamation in observance of "national county government week" from April 6 through 12, 2008 and "public service recognition week" from may 5 through 11, 2008. And executive manager I suppose is supposed to receive this. The same executive managers who look very surprised
>> [laughter] should I read it?
>> please. It reads whereas the national association of counties has declared April 6th through 12, 2008 as national county government week. Whereas the council for excellence in government has declared may 5th through 11th 2008 as public service recognition week and this year's theme protecting the children, whereas citizens benefit from Travis County's public service delivery system, that ensures justice in public safety, preserves health, serves veterans, provides a safety net for the needy, fosters an efficient transportation system, promotes recreational activities and preserves the county's natural resources, whereas the Travis County government's approximately 4500 employees judiciously manage the taxpayers' dollars to ensure accountability, efficiency and effectiveness and the delivery of the aforementioned services. Whereas we value accountability, upholding the public trust, good fiscal, sound public policy administration, respect for the individual, honesty and openness, whereas public records nationwide chronicle the leadership, commitment, innovation, contributions and valuable services provided by public sector employees, in an assortment of disciplines, for example, public administration, human resource management, information technology, accounting, finance, law, criminal justice, emergency services, health and human services, medicine and more, I don't believe we left much out, do we?
>> [laughter] whereas the Commissioners court recognizes and wishes to acknowledge the service and commitment of Travis County's diligent public servants by displaying an employee appreciation banner on the ned granger building. And whereas, pardon me, the Commissioners court challenges each elected and appointed official to acknowledge the contributions of their employees, especially during the week of may 5th through may 11th, national public service recognition week. Now therefore be it resolved, be it known that we members of the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby proclaim April 6th through 12th, 2008, as national county government week and may 5th through 11th as -- 2008 as public service recognition week in the great county of travis and I move approval.
>> second.
>> we're all -- here today as representatives of -- of public service and individuals that -- that deliver the -- the -- through the public system work for you and most importantly I think work for the people of Travis County. So I want to thank you for this recognition and as you -- you oversee 4500 employees that -- that provide services direct, emergency services to the citizens of Travis County. And we're very proud to do that. Thank you, we're lucky to have you, we're standing on your shoulder.
>> thank you all very much.
>> I usually am not at a loss for words. Even though I’m not prepared I need to say a few words. I think we're all privileged as executive managers to work with outstanding employees of Travis County. When you start just examining what it is that it means to be a servant, public servant. I’m in my 29th year of being a public servant. I think every day it's an honor to just get up and know that I have something of which I hopefully can give to my community. You know as you give, you also receive. I think that's the beauty of being a public servant is what you receive back in knowing that you are benefiting and helping those that -- that have needs, but also to provide you something in return. But to look at each employee and to see what they do, you know, someone once said for every achievement there's a price, for every goal there's an opponent, for every victory there's a problem, for every triumph there's sacrifice. And when I look for employees, I sometimes get to witness and be a witness to their sacrifice, be a witness to how they are able to handle day to day problems, how they are able to handle people sometimes that are having such concerns that they are frustrated, hurt, bothered, want solutions. Then I also see the price that sometimes our employees make on behalf of serving our community because of the -- the commitment that they have to their job to do it well. To be worthy of their calling. I think that's the greatest privilege is to try to be worthy every day of our calling. So I want to thank every employee of Travis County.
>> I men.
>> I don't know that any of us could be as eloquent, I would also say amen and say that oftentimes the employees who we celebrate today don't have the opportunity to -- to hear from -- hear the accolades that I work sometimes -- that and you are work sometimes garners, but because they are on the front lines making sure that your constituents have what they need when they need it. So I hope today that they are all tuned in or plugged in so that we -- so that we can have them hearow much we appreciate the job that they do every day.
>> that would be -- that would be a special recognition ceremony?
>> yes.
>> later.
>> yes.
>> may 8th?
>> okay.
>> okay.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>>
>> [indiscernible]
>> [inaudible - no mic] we are looking at the matter --
>> okay. All right.
>>
>> [inaudible - no mic]
>> going up there.
>> would one of you managers please accept this proclamation.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 8:51 PM