Government Matters: James Kaufman Tags: 2022 Sammies, Government Matters Series Back to All Videos In the days following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, a team of government employees worked tirelessly to pick up the pieces and bring order back to the iconic symbol of American democracy. One of the leaders of that effort was Jim Kaufmann, director of the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum and a finalist for a Service to America Medal. Kaufmann said he worked with a “fantastic crew” to assess damage, restore the grounds and bring back a sense of normalcy.Kaufmann said he was initially in disbelief when watching the event on TV but communicated immediately with other employees once reality quickly set in.The team finished the job before the inauguration, keeping in mind Covid-19 protocols and prioritizing safety and mental health.
