"Given what has happened in the last few months, no one can doubt the imporance of these jobs or the skill of the emergency workers we have. But we can see this workforce shortage coming. If we don't get more folks online and trained, we will have no one to blame but ourselves."

-- Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service President

"Many people in the civil service make important, but unappreciated, contributions to our country's welfare. They make sacrifice for the common good. By showcasing these unsung heroes, by demonstrating that they are performing interesting and vital work in service to their fellow citizens, we may tempt others to get involved with government work. "

--Tim Clark, Editor Government Executive Magazine

"Government is a real opportunity to do good. I think most people who come to the government do it to maximize their self worth, not their net worth."

--David Walker, Comptroller General

"If we don't act on this crisis our federal workforce won't have the capability to provide basic services in a timely manner. Furthermore, with the new role federal employees are playing in the war on terrorism, the human capital crisis becomes a matter of national security. We need to create new and expanded tools to recruit, retain, and train the good people required so that government can provide the services taxpayers want and need as efficiently and effectively as possible."

--US Senator George Voinovich (R-OH)