May 6, 2019
Public Service Recognition Week annually honors the dedicated public servants who serve their fellow citizens and our country as government employees.
During my confirmation hearing I described OGE’s staff as “the most dedicated, talented, and professional small agency staff in the Executive Branch,” a group of dedicated public servants too often under-appreciated but which “always performs above any reasonable expectations.”
In the months I have served as Director, I have found that these words barely capture the brilliance of OGE’s team – to my mind, and to all others I trust, OGE’s staff should be viewed as a national treasure in this environment of heightened front-page awareness as to ethical standards of conduct and the elevated importance of public integrity. I am humbled by the opportunity to lead such a talented group of people, and I am daily impressed by and proud of their many and varied accomplishments – it is my hope that the public is similarly impressed.
It is certain that OGE’s staff will continue its efforts to prevent conflicts of interest in the Executive Branch – this is OGE’s unwavering mission, and for this I heartily congratulate and thank these public servants. The challenge going forward is not wondering the dedication of OGE’s team. The challenge is our support – as government leaders and the public – of this team and its public integrity mission and programs. For this support of such dedicated public servants, I thank you!