PPS Announces Finalists for the 2014 Sammies

594x170xfinalists14_header.png.pagespeed.ic.-fRENQdXjm.jpg The nonprofit Partnership for Public Service celebrates Public Service Recognition Week by announcing  the 33 finalists for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal—outstanding federal employees engaged in important work to spur the economy, protect the environment and advance the health, safety and well-being of Americans.

Medal categories

• Call to Service Medal recognizes a federal employee whose professional achievements reflect the important contributions that a new generation brings to public service.

• Career Achievement Medal recognizes a federal employee for significant accomplishments throughout a lifetime of achievement in public service.

• Citizen Services Medal recognizes a federal employee for a significant contribution to the nation in activities related to citizen services (including economic development, education, health care, housing, labor and transportation).

• Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Medal recognizes a federal employee for a significant contribution to the nation in activities related to homeland security and law enforcement (including border and transportation security, civil rights, counterterrorism, emergency response, fraud prevention and intelligence).

• Management Excellence Medal recognizes a federal employee for demonstrating superior leadership and management excellence through a significant contribution to the nation that exemplifies efficient, effective and results-oriented government.

• National Security and International Affairs Medal recognizes a federal employee for a significant contribution to the nation in activities related to national security and international affairs (including defense, military affairs, diplomacy, foreign assistance and trade).

• Science and Environment Medal recognizes a federal employee for a significant contribution to the nation in activities related to science and environment (including biomedicine, economics, energy, information technology, meteorology, resource conservation and space).

Selection process

For all award categories, the nominee must have shown a strong commitment to public service as a federal civil servant and demonstrated significant accomplishments within his or her particular government field. The finalists are determined by the Partnership for Public Service following careful review of the nominations and vetting of the potential finalists, including interviews with the potential finalists, their nominator and references, and additional sources.

President Obama has said that Service to America Medal recipients "exemplify the spirit of service that marks our federal workforce," and provide a reminder that "the collective efforts of dedicated civil servants lay the foundation for America's prosperity and ensure a brighter future for our children."

Winners are set to be announced on September  22, 2014, at a Washington, D.C. dinner. The Service to America Medals have earned a reputation as the most prestigious awards to honor America’s civil servants.

To learn about each of the  2014 finalists go to http://servicetoamericamedals.org/SAM/finalists/index.shtml.