Press Release
☷Remarks by President Biden at the Presidential Rank Awards Virtual Ceremony
White House ( By Press Release office)
May 02,2022
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1:59 P . M . EDTTHE PRESIDENT: Well , thank you all . Kiran , thank you for the great job you’re doing leading the Office of Personnel Management . And thank you , Diana — Diana . And thank you most of all for the difference you’ve made . You’ve really made a difference in people’s lives , and you saved people’s lives in the process — helping speed resources to hospitals and healthcare workers on the frontlines when they needed the help the most — because you and your team delivered . There are families who gather around the dinner table tonight , and it’s completely filled — there’s no empty chairs . A million people have died . A million people have died , but think of all of the lives you helped save . You know , they may not know your name , but you have their gratitude . And that’s what public service is all about . It’s that — it’s that — what the President Rank Awards are all about . They’re about the families in every corner of this country whose lives all of you — all of you who are behind me on those screen — all of you have touched . Every single one of you . Those families may never know your names , but you have their gratitude . It was my honor to re - establish these awards last year after the previous administration made the decision to cancel them . Because these awards are about more than individual recognition . They’re a reminder to all of us — to everyone — of the extraordinary capacity , creativity , diversity , and dedication of our federal workforce and a reminder — a reminder of why you all — all the work you do matters so much . You know , a couple of weeks before I was sworn in , in January 2021 , I sent a message to all career civil servants . And I meant it at the time and I still mean it . I told them that we’re a team . One team . One America . And I meant it . Over the last 15 months , you’ve helped us deliver so much to the American people: helping stand up a wartime effort to get the country vaccinated; getting checks into people’s pockets of families who needed help , literally just to keep food on the table , keep a roof over their heads; helping communities rebuild in the wake of storms and wildfires; and caring for our veterans; cleaning up the polluted lands and waters; implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to deliver good - paying job opportunities and game - changing investments to communities all across America; and so much more . Most of all , you’ve restored the faith — the faith of millions of Americans in their government — that their government sees them and hears them , that we listen to them , respect them , and reflect them . You’re helping restore their faith that democracy can deliver in America . And by restoring their faith and coming through for them today , you’re helping strengthen our country for tomorrow , in a literal sense . Look , you and your colleagues couldn’t have done — if you had the opportunity , looking back on it , probably would’ve — you could’ve done anything — almost anything with your careers . You’re so talented . But you chose public service . And the families in every corner of this country are better off today because you made that choice . Not only are you helping to confront the great challenges of our time , you’re showing America , the world that we can do — what we can do when we come together and lead with honor and integrity , as you all have had being recognized today , with a federal government that looks like America and gets things done for all Americans . So I want to say simply: Thank you , thank you , thank you — not only to you , but to your families as well — for faci - — for the sacrifices you’ve all made to serve our nation and to deliver for all those folks around the kitchen tables tonight , and today and this morning and tomorrow and the next day , who might never know your names . It makes a difference . I hope that these awards remind each of you of why you’re here and why it matters . So , let’s keep it up . Let’s keep delivering for the American people , because I tell you what: We work for them , and we have to do our job . And you’re doing it incredibly well . Thank you for all your exemplary work . And congratulations to all of you . May God bless you all . And may God protect our troops . Thank you all so very , very much . Thank you . Q Mr . President , when are you meeting with Austin Tice’s parents THE PRESIDENT: Today . Q Mr . President , have you made a decision on student loan debt THE PRESIDENT: Not yet . 2:04 P . M . EDT
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