Federal workers in environmental and science-related fields were among those who received prestigious civil service awards this week.
The recipients of the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America medals include the EPA team that oversaw wildfire cleanup efforts in Maui and a duo from the National Institute of Standards and Technology who pioneered tornado-resistant building codes.
The “Sammies” are presented each year by the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service and have been billed as the federal workforce’s Oscars. This year’s winners, announced Monday, were selected from a pool of over 500 nominees by a panel made up of leaders in government, academia, technology, business and other industries, including Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.).
“During a time when federal workers face more scrutiny and damaging rhetoric than ever, these talented individuals have embodied the highest standards of public service in America,” said Max Stier, the partnership’s president and CEO, in a statement. “With the coming change in presidential administrations, our nonpartisan, merit-based civil service will, as always, provide the critical continuity of government that is so vital for our democracy.”
