May 3 through May 9 has been designated as Public Service Recognition Week to honor federal, state and local government employees and members of the uniformed services who are entrusted with missions fundamental to the United States and deliver services upon which Americans depend.

This week, I am asking everyone to stop and appreciate all public servants by thanking them for their service.

There are more than 61,000 current and retired federal employees in Oregon, with the U.S. Postal Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture — which includes the U.S. Forest Service — being among the largest employers in Oregon.

Since January 2025, the federal workforce has lost over 300,000 employees due to firings and resignations, meaning there are less people executing valuable programs such as Social Security and food safety management. The extent of the cuts’ damages encompasses an enormous loss of institutional knowledge and expertise that took years and significant public investment to build. In addition, they endured several government shutdowns working without pay, which is just not right. But government employees are resilient and proud of the work they do and ready to serve all of us.

As a retired air traffic controller, I appreciate the work that the current Federal Aviation Administration employees accomplish. Air traffic controllers across the nation are working six days a week and 10 hours a day because of staffing issues. How crazy is that?

Public servants make substantial contributions to the American economy, managing public lands, infrastructure, financial systems, research institutions and regulatory frameworks that assist private-sector growth, protect consumers and sustain the conditions for a competitive and innovative marketplace.

Please take a moment and say thank you to those that work for a federal, state or local government, or that serve our nation in uniform. Life is better for all of us because of public servants!

Ruthann Couch
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Chapter 79
Eugene