Public Service
Recognition Week
May 2-8, 2021
36 years of honoring public servants and connecting our government to the people it serves
#PSRW
Public Service Recognition Week is celebrated the first week of May since 1985 (beginning on the first Sunday of the month) to honor the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local and tribal government employees.
Sign up for Public Service Recognition Week
By signing up for PSRW, you will be featured on the participating organizations page and will receive PSRW updates and materials.
Federal government
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Americorps
Architect of the Capital
Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Department of State
Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor
Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior
Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, Department of the Interior
Central Intelligence Agency
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Council of Economic Advisors
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency
Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
Defense Contract Audit Agency, Department of Defense
Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Department of Defense
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Education
Department of Energy
Department of the Navy
Department of the Treasury
Department of Transportation
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of State
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of Veterans Affairs
Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State
Environmental Protection Agency
Export-Import Bank of the United States
Farm Credit Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Communications Commission
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Federal Election Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Federal Labor Relations Authority
Federal Maritime Commission
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Serve
Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation
Federal Trade Commission
Food and Drug Administration
Food Nutrition and Consumer Services, Department of Agriculture
Forest Service, Department of Agriculture
General Services Administration
Government Accountability Office
Internal Revenue Service. Department of the Treasury
Library of Congress
Merit Systems Protection Board
Millennium Challenge Corporation
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Archives and Records Administration
National Credit Union Administration
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Gallery of Art
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce
National Park Service
National Science Foundation
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Federal Student Aid, Department of Education
Office of Management and Budget
Office of Personnel Management
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Administration and Management, Department of Labor
Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, Defense Agencies, and Department of Defense Field Activities.
Office of the United States Trade Representative
Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency
Peace Corps
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration
Securities and Exchange Commission
Selective Service System
Small Business Administration
Social Security Administration
Stennis Center for Public Service
Surface Transportation Board
Transportation Security Administration
United States Agency for International Development
United States Air Force
United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
United States Postal Service
United States Space Force
United States International Trade Commission
United States Railroad Retirement Board
U.S. Agency for Global Media
U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce
U.S. Mint, Department of the Treasury
U.S. Special Operations Command, Department of the Army
Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor
William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies
State and local government
Atlanta Police Department
Alameda County, Calif
Battery Park City Authority
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
California Department of General Services
California Department of Rehabilitation
California Department of Technology
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
California Department of Water Services
California Governer’s Office of Emergency Service
California Office of Systems Integration
CalRecycle
Campbell County, Va.
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Cetner
Citrus County, Fla.
City of Albany, N.Y.
City of Albemarle, N.C.
City of Alliance, Neb.
City of Andover, Mass.
City of Arkansas City, Kansas
City of Augusta, Kan.
City of Austin, Texas
City of Bakersfield, Calif.
City of Baltimore, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development
City of Baton Rouge, La.
City of Boca Raton, Fla.
City of Brooklyn Park, Minn.
City of Ceres, Calif.
City of Cibolo, Texas
City of Columbia, S.C.
City of Columbus, Kansas
City of Detroit, Mich.
City of Downey, Calif.
City of Dunedin, Fla.
City of Dyersburg, Tenn.
City of Falls Church, Va.
City of Hallandale Beach, Fla.
City of Houston, Texas
City of La Porte, Texas
City of Mesquite, Texas
City of Ravenna, Ohio
City of San Antonio, Texas
City of Seattle
City of Selah, Wash.
City of South Fulton, Ga.
City of Rancho Cordova, Calif.
City of Richmond, Va.
City of San Marcos, Texas
City of Savannah, Ga.
City of Valdez, Alaska
City of Wentzville, Mo.
City of Wildwood, N.J.
City. of Woodbury, Minn.
Custer County Highway Department
Denton State Supported Living Center
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Florida Department of Revenue
Franklin County Community Based Correctional Facility
Greater Kansas City Federal Executive Board
HR, City of Sugar Land, Texas
Hillsborough County, Fla.
James City County, Va.
Kansas Department of Transportation
Kent County, Del.
King County, Wash.
Lubbock State Supported Living Center
Massachussets Trial Court
Monterey County, Calif.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
New Hampshire Veterans Home
New Jersey Department of Health
New Jersey Department of Labor
Office of Administration, State of Missouri
Office of Management and Budget, State of Delaware
Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth
Oklahoma Department of Corrections
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency
Parish of Caddo, La.
Pima County, Ariz.
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
San Diego County Water Authority
Sarpy County, Neb.
Seattle Department of Transportation
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Snohomish County District Court
South Carolina First Steps for School Readiness Board
Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institution
Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institution
State of Hawaii Treasury
Superior Court of Placer County, Calif.
Tampa Bay Water
Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Health and Human Services
Town of Amherst, Mass.
Town of Elon, N.C.
Town of Ellington, Conn.
Town of Greeneville, Tenn.
Town of Summerville, S.C.
Township of Livingston, N.J.
Township of Mahwah, N.J.
Utah Division of Archives and Records Service
Village of Bolingbrook, Ill.
Village of Tinley Park, Ill.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
Wake County, N.C.
Washington Department of Services for the Blind
Washington State Employment Security Department
Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona
Wichita & Affiliated Tribes of Oklahoma
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Private sector
Accenture Federal Services
Bellwether Consulting
Cipla Limited
Cooperative Personnel Services, Inc.
Federalisms
Fors Marsh Group
GIC Trade, Inc.
Grant Thornton
Managament Concepts
Messtone
Partners in Peace
Perspecta
Qualtrics
Spring Dynamic
SVP Worldwide
Nonprofit
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
American Society for Public Administration
Association of Government Accountants
DonorsChoose
Enterprise Community Partners
Father Bill’s & MainSpring
Federal Asian Pacific American Council
International Association of Workforce Professionals
International City/Council Management Association
League of United Latin American Citizens
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
M&K Farms
Mosaic Muslim Federal Employee Association
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
Professional Managers Association
Robertson Foundation for Government
Senior Executives Association
Society for Human Resource Management
Southeast Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission
Wall Community First Aid Squad
Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies
Education
National Urban Fellows
Isabela State University Biological Society
Mitchell County 4-H Youth Development
Stephen Knolls School
The Evergreen State College
Texas A&M University
University of Arkansas
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs
University of Maryland
University of Washington Tacoma Professional Development Center
Join the Celebration
Our 2021 events will be held virtually, but we’re still planning to celebrate Public Service Recognition Week. You may also submit a virtual event for consideration into the calendar.
Hosting a PSRW event?
We want to share your event with others. Share your event with us to be listed on our events page.
Submit an eventJUST LAUNCHED
Learn more about the 2021 Sammies Finalists
CNN’s “New Day” announced the 2021 Service to America Medals finalists on Sunday, May 2. Learn more about them and vote for your favorite story to win the People’s Choice Award.
Learn more Watch the announcement eventJoin the #IServeBecause Campaign
If you are a current federal employee, we encourage you to take the “I Serve Because” survey so we can share your responses during PSRW and highlight the importance of public service in our country.
Take the surveyTools and Resources
Throughout the country, mayors, governors, agency leaders, communities and public service organizations show appreciation to government employees by issuing proclamations, hosting award ceremonies, sharing stories of excellence in public service and more.
How to Celebrate PSRW
There are many simple, low-cost ways to celebrate public servants in your community during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW). Ideas range from sending letters to public employees to organizing a celebration showcasing the work of government agencies in your local area. Our guide provides a full list of suggestions and actions you can take during the week.
Celebration Toolkit #GovPossible Toolkit PSRW Logo 2021 PSRW Banner PSRW Certificate Example PSRW Certificate Template
Audience Guides
Our tailored guides for federal agencies, Capitol Hill, local chapters and teachers provide specific recommendations for what you can do to celebrate federal workers during #PSRW.
Federal Agencies Capitol Hill Local Chapters Teachers
Share a #PSRW photo on social media
Use one of our white board templates to write why you serve or support public serviants. Take a picture and share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
I Serve Because… I Appreciate Public Servants Because…
Activities for children
Share the #PSRW celebration with your little ones! Print out these activity sheets for your kids to enjoy during all of this time at home.
Word Search Coloring Sheet “Thank You” Coloring Sheet
Events
2021 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals Finalists
Partnership for Public Service
On Wednesday, May 5, at 12:30 p.m. EDT, Axios Managing Editor for Politics Margaret Talev and the Partnership for Public Service are teaming up with Tony-nominated actress Adrienne Warren to bring you a glimpse of the work by the 2021 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals finalists and a special message from President Joe Biden.
May 5, 2021
Register nowRebuilding our institutions: A conversation with democracy’s caretakers
Partnership for Public Service
To celebrate Public Service Recognition Week, the Partnership is hosting a virtual event on Thursday, May 6, from 12–1 p.m. EDT featuring a special panel discussion with four former national security leaders. The panelists will talk about what it means to lead in government, why it is time for a renewed call to public service, and how Congress and the federal workforce can help rebuild our democratic institutions.
May 6, 2021
Learn MoreCelebrating Public Servants on the Front Lines and Behind the Scenes
Volcker Alliance
On May 4 from 2-3 p.m. EDT, during Public Service Recognition Week, Volcker Alliance Board Chair and former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley will lead a discussion with public servants who—in different parts of the country, in varying roles, but with the same unwavering commitment to the common good—are responding to myriad challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists will reflect on their work over the past year; highlight some of the innovations expected to outlast the pandemic and improve government services for the better; and offer insights on what it is like to serve the public at this critical time in our nation’s history.
May 4, 2021
Learn MoreFeds in Motion 35 Challenge
Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund
The Feds In Motion 35 Challenge kicks off Public Service Recognition Week (#PSRW) and is all about moving in your favorite way — walk, run, bike, swim, or roll your wheelchair on your favorite route — to reach the goal of 35 miles (or more!) in 35 days. Participants get T-shirts, certificates, prizes, and other cool swag. Participate on your own or with family, friends or coworkers. The challenge runs until June 2 and includes five Wellness Wednesday lunchtime virtual events. All registration proceeds go to the he Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund’s disaster relief, emergency hardship loan, and scholarship programs.
May 2–June 2, 2021
Learn MoreFedUpward Podcast Recognizes Sammies Winners
The FedUpward Podcast
The FedUpward Podcast will release a series of episodes featuring winners of the Service to America Medals, as well as other feds, highlighting accomplishments of the diverse, amazing workforce that serves our nation. Episodes will be available at FedUpward.com, and via Apple, Spotify and iHeartRadio podcast apps.
May 2, 2021
Learn MoreFeds Across America Day
Federal Executive Boards
President Kennedy established Federal Executive Boards (FEB) in 1961 to improve communication and coordination between Federal agencies outside of Washington, DC. There are 28 FEBs in metropolitan areas with significant Federal populations. Each year during PSRW, FEBs recognize high-performing Federal employees in their local communities and highlight innovative efforts that advance the missions of Federal agencies. Award nominations are reviewed by leadership panels using criteria for a variety of categories, such as: Leadership, Customer Service, Community Service, Diversity and Inclusion, Distinguished Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Military/Military Support, Extraordinary Contributions in the Accomplishment of Agency Mission, Administrative Support, and Law Enforcement.
May 4, 2021
Learn More2021 Excellence in Government Awards Program
Oklahoma Federal Executive Board
The Excellence in Government Awards Program, sponsored by the Oklahoma Federal Executive Board, recognizes current military, postal, and federal civilian employees for their individual and team accomplishments both in the workplace and the community at large across the state of Oklahoma.
May 4, 2021
Learn MoreVideos
President Joe Biden and Partnership leadership say thank you to our public servants! We encourage government and community leaders to record similar messages that people can post, tweet and share all throughout #PSRW.
President Joe Biden
Max Stier
Partnership President and CEO
James-Christian Blockwood
Partnership Executive Vice President
#IServeBecause
“While making an impact within public service is often a marathon and not a sprint, knowing that my work makes a difference is something I value tremendously. While it may not be glamorous to ensure publicly funded programs are correctly managed and taxpayer money is handled correctly, it comes with a tremendous sense of duty I have not experienced in the private sector.”
Kyle B., GSA
“Public service is important to me because I like helping people, especially those who may be at greater risk to physical or environmental hazards. I also find it important to be a voice for that which can’t speak up for itself – namely the natural environment: plants, trees, rivers, lakes and animals of all kind.”
Bryan F., EPA
“I worked for years in the private sector, and I was never satisfied; although, I was well paid. My country is important to me, and public service allows me to join the fight to keep our country and the Constitution alive!”
Amy M., DOD
“I believe it is very important to take care of the people not only in our country, but also in the communities in which we live. I think if it were not for our public service personnel, this country wouldn’t be able to continue to function and go on as it has during this crisis and every crisis that has occurred before it.”
Sonsauray D., IRS
Partners
Public Service Recognition Week is hosted annually by the Public Employees Roundtable and its member organizations.
General Services Administration
Social Media Toolkit
Try out our sample posts and images on social media! You can use our #PSRW graphic on Facebook or add a fun sticker to your Instagram story. Browse through all our templates for agencies, public servants and more.
Social Posts Photo Challenge #PSRW Gif Sticker General Thank You First Responder Thank You Virtual Background