STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

Whereas, New Yorkers value and appreciate the dedicated members of our State workforce who each day strive to make our system of government and affiliated public services one of the most respected, efficient and professional in the country, and we take this opportunity to recognize the entire organization of public employees of New York State who, each day, make significant contributions to the well-being of the citizens and communities of this great State; and

Whereas, the public employees of New York State perform a wide range of jobs that help improve the quality of life in local communities and on a statewide level – they vigilantly protect citizen’s rights, care for less fortunate members of society, educate our children, defend crime victims, inspect our food, build our highways, ensure public health and safety, license our vehicles, safeguard our air and water, ensure an efficient and well-trained workforce, and carry out a host of other duties entrusted to them to maintain the public good; and

Whereas, these employees work to meet the growing needs of a diverse population, carrying out their jobs with professionalism and integrity, continuously striving to make government more accessible and accountable to others; and

Whereas, our State is an example for this entire Nation in terms of efficiency and effectiveness in public service, and those professionals who demonstrate a steadfast commitment to building a stronger Empire State have certainly added to its admired reputation as a global leader in term of its economy, healthcare, education, human services and technology; and

Whereas, Public Service Recognition Week is observed nationwide to honor the men and women who serve America as federal, state and local government employees, and it is appropriate to designate a day to honor all employees of New York State, paying tribute to them collectively as one of this country’s largest and finest public workforces; and

Whereas, New York State is proud to join in expressing appreciation to those employees at all levels of public and government service, for their hard work, dedication and spirit of pride, with a special expression of gratitude to our highly exceptional organization of public employees here in New York State;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2008 as NEW YORK STATE EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION DAY in the Empire State and call this observance to the attention of all New Yorkers and encourage them to commend the hard work and dedication of State employees across the Empire State.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this twenty-first day of April in the year two thousand eight.