The Service to America Medals (Sammies) awards program pays tribute
to America's dedicated federal workforce, highlighting those who have
made significant contributions to our country. Honorees are chosen based
on their commitment and innovation, as well as the impact of their work
on addressing the needs of the nation. Awardees are announced each fall
at a dinner and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Due to inclement weather in the Washington, D.C. area, if you have concerns about completing a nomination by the deadline, please contact Jim Seymour at sammies@ourpublicservice.org or (202) 775-2758. We will plan to keep the nomination form online a few extra days to make sure that you have the opportunity to complete your nominations.
The Partnership for Public Service presented nine Service to America Medals to outstanding public servants whose remarkable work is making the world safer, healthier and greener—at a Washington, D.C. gala held in their honor, September 23.
The Service to America Medals have earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious awards dedicated to celebrating America’s civil servants, often referred to as the “Oscars” of government service.
The top medal, Federal Employee of the Year, went to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Janet Kemp, whose work has the ultimate impact: it saves lives. Kemp created a national suicide prevention hotline for veterans, which has resulted in more than 5,000 immediate rescues.
Additional Service to America Medals were presented to nine federal workers who boast achievements in international affairs, homeland security, health research, patient care, reducing homelessness, combating environmental degradation, helping Americans avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes, and reducing air pollution.
Medalists come from the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Interior and Justice, the CIA, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center, and National Cancer Institute. They work and live in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, New York and Pakistan.
“The recipients of the Service to America Medals exemplify the very best of our public servants,” said Max Stier, Partnership president and CEO. “The remarkable work that they do touches our lives each and every day—from protecting our veterans to reducing air pollution.”
The 2009 Service to America Medals recipients are:
On Wednesday, May 6, the Partnership for Public Service will announce 29 finalists at a Capitol Hill luncheon in Washington, D.C. Together, their work represents the important contributions of all federal employees, across the country and around the world, to protect our homeland, safeguard our health, and better the lives of their fellow citizens.
This year’s 30 finalists include public servants who boast achievements in fields including alternative energy, home foreclosure relief, physics, medical research, hubble science, the presidential transition, homelessness, the prosecution of terrorists and international development.
“The Service to America Medals are important because they tell the true stories of the remarkable work that our federal employees do each and every day. There is not a day that passes where government does not touch our lives in some way — whether it is stopping the spread of disease, combating fraud and corruption, or protecting our environment,” said Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service President.
The Service to America Medals are presented annually by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service to celebrate excellence in our federal civil service.
Date: September 24, 2009
Date: February 8, 2010
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