A resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Federal Executive Boards.

Mr. President, today I rise in support of a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Federal Executive Boards.

Federal Executive Boards were established on November 10, 1961, by President John F. Kennedy through a presidential directive to strengthen the coordination of government activities outside of Washington, DC. Today, there are 28 Federal Executive Boards across the country, where more than 80 percent of all Federal employees work.

Federal Executive Boards have improved the efficiency of Federal government activities and leveraged resources. According to the Federal Executive Board Annual Report, in Fiscal Year 2010, Federal Executive Boards saved the Federal government an estimated total of nearly $33 million. Federal Executive Boards coordinated Alternative Dispute Resolution services by providing mediators to agencies at low or no cost, which saved the Federal government more than $25.2 million. Furthermore, Federal Executive Boards provided training to more than 28,000 employees and saved the Federal government $7.7 million in training costs by providing instructors and conference space to deliver group training sessions, which reduced travel and lodging expenditures.

As we commemorate this anniversary, it is fitting to recognize the contributions of Federal Executive Boards on our communities nationwide. Federal Executive Boards supported and raised more than $78 million in Fiscal Year 2010 for the Combined Federal Campaign, the largest workplace charity campaign, supporting 20,000 non-profit, charitable organizations that provide health and human service benefits in the United States and around the world. Last year, Federal Executive Boards supported the government-wide initiative Feds Feed Families food drive and collected over 65,000 pounds of food. Additionally, Federal Executive Boards volunteer in their communities to mentor students and contribute to holiday toy, blood, and clothing drives.

Federal Executive Boards have also played an important role in emergency support. During the collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis in August 2007 and the massive flooding in the southeastern area of the state just two weeks later, the Minnesota Federal Executive Board passed critical information from local and state sources to more than 100 Federal agencies to provide status updates of recovery operations and potential workforce impacts. Following the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Federal Executive Board brought together officials to discuss how Federal Executive Boards can best support first responders during an emergency.

During Hurricane Katrina, the Executive Director of the New Orleans Federal Executive Board coordinated with the Office of Personnel Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain and disseminate guidance, as well as communicate issues of concern from Federal agencies in the area. In addition, Federal Executive Boards initiated several activities to prepare Federal employees for a pandemic. For instance, a number of Federal Executive Boards held pandemic influenza tabletop exercises, which included nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and other levels of government.

Federal Executive Boards are vital to confronting today's challenges and helping agencies meet their workforce needs and missions. They are uniquely positioned to bring together the Federal family. Again, I want to say mahalo, thank you, to the Federal Executive Boards for their valuable work and congratulate them on their success on this 50th anniversary.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 321, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask further that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.