Public service

This office is your office.

I come here tonight to express my thanks, and I think the country's thanks, to all the men and women who work in the Department of Labor.

The logic and value of a National Service Corps has been demonstrated by the work and success of our Peace Corps overseas.

Nowhere is the profile of the best of American youth better drawn than in our Peace Corps volunteers.

This is a great country and I have unlimited confidence in it, and I have served it for 18 years.

I want you to join me in serving this country and moving this country forward.

The new frontier of which I speak does not consist of the things which we promise we will do for you; it consists of the things which you can do for your country.

I assure you they are doing one thing--they are working day and night for your benefit and mine.

We are talking about the kind of government that does its own part in helping to look after the human needs of this country.

It is a great honor for me to come back to the country where I served so many years.

Whatever you do, every talent you have will be at work for the good of America.

I think this gives me just an appropriate chance to say something about the appreciation I have of the services of the good public servant.

Mr. Hoover, your dedication and devotion to public service are so long and so well known, your accomplishments in that service are so great and so well known, that it seems idle for me to try to say anything that could add to the dignity…

I think America is forgetting one thing: the thanks we owe to tremendous groups of scientists, devoted doctors, people that have worked night and day.

I think you people are doing not only a useful but an indispensable part of the task in bringing it about.

You are given that most priceless of opportunities: to work directly and specifically for the welfare of the United States of America, and there is no greater honor that is achievable by any American.

The most vigorous efforts are being and will continue to be made to expose and punish every Government employee who misuses his official position.

It is my determination to maintain the highest standards of integrity and efficiency in the Federal service.