February is African American History Month, so join your friends and coworkers today at 10:00 a.m. in the HUD Cafeteria to close out our month long events. All employees are encouraged to participate in this dynamic program, sponsored by the Department and the HUD Chapter of Blacks in Government.

This year's theme has been "The Souls of Black Folks: Centennial Reflections." Join in "live" at 10 AM, or watch the program through a HUD web cast after 11:30 a.m. today, Eastern Time.

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Good government requires good people. The Service to America Medals send a powerful message to the American people about the importance of a strong civil service and seek to inspire a new generation of Americans to public service.

Created by the Partnership for Public Service and The Atlantic Media Company (Government Executive, National Journal and The Atlantic Monthly), the Service to America Medals recognize the accomplishments of America's public servants and their commitment to public service, and are accompanied by a cash prize.

Award categories include:

• Federal Employee of the Year Medal: Recognizing the best and brightest of the federal workforce.
• Career Achievement Medal: Recognizing a lifetime of achievement in public service.
• Call to Service Medal: Recognizing a significant contribution to the country as a recent entrant to the federal workforce.
• Medals in Specific Government Fields: Several medals recognize nominees who have demonstrated significant accomplishments in the fields of Business and Commerce; Environment, Science and Technology; Homeland Security; Justice; and National Security and International Affairs.

Honorees will be saluted by dignitaries from government, business, and the entertainment world at a Washington, DC gala event in October. Last year's nine recipients included two FBI investigators who solved a 40-year old Birmingham, Alabama church bombing case; a Coast Guard employee who directed the evacuation of 70,000 people from Lower Manhattan on 9/11; and a NIST physics pioneer who helped advance scientific career opportunities for women and minorities through a lifetime of service.

Do you know a federal employee whose contributions have made a national impact - one of the country's true unsung heroes? Submit your nominations for the 2003 Service to America Medals now (www.govexec.com/pps/), on the Internet. Nominations must be received no later than May 2, 2003.