Beginning today on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the wide spectrum of public employees and the work they do on behalf of the American people will be celebrated as part of Public Service Recognition Week. A fascinating exhibit with booths, displays, demonstrations and souvenirs will be open to the public every day through Sunday, May 12th.

The event is sponsored by the Public Employees Roundtable, and activities on the Mall will kickoff today at 10:30 A.M. with a performance by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the Color Guard. Dogs especially trained by the U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Border Patrol will give one of the many exciting demonstrations planned throughout the four-day exhibition.

In all, over 100 government military, law enforcement and service agencies will have exhibits or provide useful information. Visitors to the exhibition also can learn about public service career opportunities from the Office of Personnel Management, and information on public service for every American from agencies like the Peace Corps.

Directions: To get to the event, use the Smithsonian, L'Enfant Plaza, or Archives-Memorial Metro stops. From HUD/7th Street, S.W., it's a short distance to the Mall - enter between the Air & Space Museum and the National Gallery of Art.

Speaking with high regard for America's public servants, President George W. Bush has issued a Public Service Recognition Week greeting:

"America is blessed with dedicated public employees who keep our country strong and ensure that our government functions effectively. Every day, Americans serve in a variety of Federal, state, and local government jobs to protect and enhance the lives of their fellow citizens. Many of these public servants demonstrated their character and commitment to the American people after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. By assisting those in need, public employees helped countless Americans through this difficult time."

In the greeting, the President spoke about the value of public service to the nation and his call for every citizen to play a role in service to America:

"We should all play a role in serving our Nation. I have called on every American to dedicate at least 4,000 hours in his or her life in service to America. Programs such as AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Peace Corps, and Citizen Corps provide opportunities for individuals to further a cause greater than themselves. By working together, we can improve the lives of all Americans."

Read the full message from President Bush (www.theroundtable.org/GWBPSRWLETTER.pdf).

Public Service Recognition Week is a nationwide event, and many local events have been held or scheduled throughout the week (and some later in the month).

Other cities around the U.S. celebrate Public Service Recognition Week in their own way. Last year Federal Executive Boards and local chapters of the American Society for Public Administration sponsored awards' banquets and "open houses" to showcase deserving programs in 25 cities from Boston to Los Angeles and Chicago to New Orleans.

Check for Public Service Recognition Week events in your community (www.theroundtable.org/psrwdates.html).