Congress Approves Webb-Backed Bill to Honor Federal Workers Killed in Line of Duty

Nearly 3,000 workers have died in line of duty since 1992

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Senate unanimously passed the Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 (H.R. 2061), cosponsored by Senator Jim Webb, which honors federal civilian employees who are killed while performing official duties.  The legislation authorizes federal agencies to give an American flag to families of federal civilian employees killed on the job as a result of a criminal act, terrorism, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary event as determined by the President.

“I cosponsored this bipartisan legislation to ensure proper recognition for those who have dedicated their lives to service in the federal workforce,” said Senator Webb.  “I am pleased that the Civilian Service Recognition Act has passed with such overwhelming support in both the House and Senate.”

According to the Office of Personnel Management, approximately 100,000 federal civilian employees have served alongside the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade.  Since 1992, nearly 3,000 federal civilian employees have died in service of their country, including 24 killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Recognition for these sacrifices has been uneven; some federal agencies have presented American flags to the families of those killed in the line of duty, but others have not.  This legislation allows the Office of Personnel Management to standardize these practices across federal civilian agencies.

The Civilian Service Recognition Act was introduced in May of 2011 in the House of Representatives by Representative Richard Hanna (R-NY) and 21 bipartisan co-sponsors.  The House unanimously approved the bill on November 2, 2011.  Senator Webb joined Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) to introduce a companion bill in the Senate, which was also cosponsored by Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA).

This legislation is supported by a wide range of groups including the Coalition for Effective Change, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Senior Executives Association, former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, and the American Legion.