Sen. Daniel Akaka was honored by the National Treasury Employees Union for his long-time, unyielding support of the federal workforce. NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley presented the retiring lawmaker with an engraved crystal plaque inscribed with these words: With deep admiration and gratitude for your leadership on behalf of federal employees and retirees. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Daniel Akaka)

MEDIA RELEASE

As a stalwart supporter of federal employees throughout his decades in the U.S. Congress, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) will be greatly missed when he retires at the end of his current term, said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

Last week, NTEU honored Akaka for his years of service at the union’s annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C.

“Sen. Akaka is a great friend to federal employees,” President Kelley said. “He understands that their service makes our country stronger and during his time as a federal lawmaker worked hard to provide federal employees with the resources they need to get the job done for the American people.”

Serving first for 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Akaka was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1990. For many years, he has been chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee with responsibility for federal workforce issues.

“He has an amazing expertise and a deep conviction that will not be easily replaced,” Kelley said. “During his years in both the House and the Senate, he has never wavered in his support for federal employees, whether leading the charge for Hatch Act reform, fighting to protect collective bargaining rights or pushing for fair pay and benefits. Federal workers will miss his advocacy on their behalf.”

At a congressional reception attended by several hundred of the union’s members from around the country, NTEU honored and thanked Akaka for unyielding support of the federal workforce and presented him with an engraved crystal plaque inscribed with these words: With deep admiration and gratitude for your leadership on behalf of federal employees and retirees.

“NTEU will especially miss Sen. Akaka, but it gives me great pleasure to present him with this award,” Kelley said, adding that she is looking forward to working closely with the senator during the remainder of his term.

In response, Akaka said: “Mahalo, thank you, to the NTEU for this great honor. I am truly grateful. Protecting federal employees from attacks on pay and benefits is one of my priorities. NTEU has been an important ally as we continue to fight efforts to place the burden of our current economic challenges on the backs of our two million middle class federal employees who already have contributed so much. The federal government relies on dedicated and skilled workers and could not function without their hard work. I thank NTEU members and all federal employees for your service to our nation.”

As the nation’s largest independent union of federal employees, NTEU represents 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.