President's Visits Buoy Federal Employees

[bemildred]

Source: WaPo

President Obama strode into a cramped room at the Department of Veterans Affairs yesterday, faced a few dozen employees in stackable chairs and spoke for 12 minutes. He made no news, shook some hands and hustled back to the White House, just two blocks away.

But his short visit to the department's Vermont Avenue headquarters rallied many of the 280,000 workers at an agency bearing the brunt of two long, ongoing wars. Hundreds of workers filled a basement cafeteria to hear him speak. A 29-year human resources specialist said the president made her believe she is part of his mission to change government. And a file clerk said Obama inspired her to believe she is more than a lowly bureaucrat.

"I'm just a file clerk," said Donnice George, a VA employee for 19 years. "He's a leader, he's African American, and he's president. It's something I never thought I'd see in a million years, and I feel like I'm a part of it. Just being an employee makes me feel a part of it."

Two months into office, Obama has visited seven federal agencies' headquarters, each time appearing with his Cabinet secretaries and addressing workers. As he makes the rounds, Obama is inspiring longtime career employees with his speeches and asking them to be a partner in his agenda to change the culture of Washington.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031602914.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. After 8 years of a prez that didn't believe in govt. what a relief! nt

[Historic NY]

2. "leadership" it makes a difference.

[jwirr]

3. President Obama has the key to making bureaucracy work. Let the

workers know they are important to the system.