Happy (Belated) State Employees Day

The following comes from a press release from the Governor's office. It's a little thing, really, a proclamation recognizing state employees. But it means something to me, who's worked for the State of Wyoming going on 16 years. I work in the state arts agency. Although the Gov doesn't mention "arts" by name, he does list some of the good things my colleagues do: counsel people in need, build highways, teach, and license boats, among many others. It's important stuff. Public service, as it used to be called. We've seen lot of examples of public service -- and inaction -- on the part of government. Since 9/11, we've begun to recognize that many things will not get done without us. The vaunted private sector, alas, has no motive to do good. In public service, it's part of the mission.

Here's what the Gov's office had to say:

On Wednesday, May 9, 2007 Governor Freudenthal signed a proclamation recognizing the contribution of State employees. In a radio address the Governor expressed gratification that the Legislature has been recognizing the efforts of all state employees and their service to the citizens of Wyoming.

The proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS, Wyoming's state employees contribute significantly to the well-being and quality of life for all citizens of the Equality State; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming's state employees preserve public safety and the health of our citizens, work to ensure clean air and water, care for crime victims and care for the less fortunate and economically disadvantaged, rehabilitate and counsel people in need, attract and support commerce, build and maintain our highways, schools, and other infrastructure, administer justice, protect citizens' rights, inspect our food, license our boats, educate our children, and make astounding contributions in medicine, science and technology for the benefit of our citizens, and

WHEREAS, through both economically challenging and more prosperous times, these dedicated public servants willingly perform extra duties with professionalism and integrity and continue to strive to find ways to cut costs and use taxpayers' resources wisely and to make government services more accessible and responsive to the needs of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming is privileged to join other states across the nation on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 to express special appreciation and gratitude to state employees for their hard work, sacrifices, and unselfish spirit of dedication tothe citizens of our state.

NOW THEREFORE, I DAVE FREUDENTHAL, governor of the State of Wyoming, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, May 9, 2007 as "STATE EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION DAY" in Wyoming, and call this observation to the attention of all citizens and encourage all Wyomingites to commend the hard work and dedication of state employees across the Equality State.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Executive Seal of the Governor of Wyoming to be affixed this 9th day of May 2007.

To access a signed version of the proclamation please click on the link below. http://hr.state.wy.us/news/SERecognition.pdf