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“THE DAMAGE TO FEDERAL WORKERS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2219-E2220 on Nov. 20, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE DAMAGE TO FEDERAL WORKERS
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HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA
of maryland
in the house of representatives
Monday, November 20, 1995
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, there have been articles written and statements made suggesting that since furloughed Federal workers are being paid that somehow they came out ahead in this shutdown ordeal.
I find this kind of rhetoric highly offensive and an affront to the hundreds of thousands of hard-working, dedicated Federal workers who were furloughed through no fault of their own.
How do individuals come out ahead after being demoralized with the label of ``non-essential?'' How do individuals come out ahead after their lives were put on hold because of political posturing? How do individuals come out ahead after they have witnessed actions that could have jeopardized their jobs and their future?
Mr. Speaker, the truth is that they cannot. No Federal worker, and I want to say this again, no Federal worker in my district or anywhere in this country said, ``Please, please furlough me.'' In fact, I know that a number of furloughed Federal workers continued to work at home, realizing the importance of their work and their commitment to this country, even if others had forgotten.
Mr. Speaker, I hope we learned a valuable lesson from this experience, and I hope that we begin serious consideration of a long-
term plan to prevent this from ever happening again. Then, and only then, can we say America and Federal workers came out ahead.
SECRETARY HAZEL O'LEARY, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
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HON. MIKE WARD
of kentucky
in the house of representatives
Monday, November 20, 1995
Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Secretary Hazel O'Leary and the job she has performed at the Department of Energy. Under her leadership, the Department has undergone a major organizational transformation that has already saved money and enhanced Government performance.
One step toward these goals was taken by developing a first-ever strategic plan, which created a framework and shared vision for the Department's missions in national security, energy resources, weapons site cleanup, and science and technology.
A major overhaul was initiated of the Department's contracting practices, which will yield billions of dollars in savings through increased competition and performance-based contract management.
Under Secretary O'Leary's leadership, the first independent post-cold war review of the Department's 10 national laboratories was commissioned and now the Department is aggressively implementing recommendations that will reduce the costs and help sustain their long record of scientific discovery and technological innovation. This action will help to ensure long-term economic growth.
These actions and others are helping Secretary O'Leary and the Department of Energy to meet the goal of reducing the Department's budget by $14.1 billion over 5 years. This is just the kind of leadership that the Department of Energy, as well as all of Government needs to ensure efficient and productive expenditure of our tax dollars.
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