More than 100 federal employees and service members were recognized during the 59th Annual Excellence in Federal Government Awards ceremony held May 1 at the Hickam Officer's Club on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH).

Sponsored by the Honolulu-Pacific Executive Board (HPFEB), the ceremony recognized individual and team accomplishments in such categories as Team Excellence, Mentor of the Year, Exceptional Community Service and others.

Each federal agency's selection was based on the most outstanding employee who helped meet their mission, goals and values for the year.

Among all branches of military service and federal employees from commands throughout Hawaii recipients included Sailors from JBPHH, Navy Region Hawaii, Naval Facilities Engineering Command and Navy Munitions Command East Asia Division, Detachment Hawaii.

Thomas Clements, an environmental public affairs officer for the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, was honored and received the Professional, Administrative, Technical Employee of the Year Award.

"Without the supervisors making an effort to get the recognition for their employees' hard work none of this would have happened," said Clements about the ceremony. "I am very thankful for the leadership that I have and for allowing me the opportunity to do my job. I am very appreciative of the fact that our leadership is willing to make the effort to get the recognition."

Clements spoke of the honor to not only receive the award but also to be amongst those who are recognized for constantly striving for excellence on the daily basis.

Steven Mullen, director of the Honolulu Passport Agency, spoke on the role that federal employees play in daily nation's operations and the importance of working with the community.

"Without federal workers and the leadership that stands behind them, the many initiatives and benefits at minimal cost would not be possible," said Mullen. "We serve a vital role as a provider of public goods and guardians of our country. Public service is motivated by the belief that some service should be available to all, regardless of income or status; and what motivates most of us is a belief that serving the public is the most important work, the vast majority of people in our line of work find personal satisfaction in serving the community."

Chief Master-at-Arms Alexander Andino, assigned to JBPHH Security Operations, was hand-picked by his command to receive a Team Excellence award.

"Today, we are recognized with a Team Excellence award, mainly for our special events coordination. A lot of events come up on the base last minute, a lot of events have moving parts such as guest lists, base access and other security requirements that we take care of as part of the special events team," explained Andino. "It is truly amazing to be here today because a lot of times what we do seems to go unrecognized. Often our job requires long and tedious hours, and often we don't realize that people notice all the hard work that we do and appreciate it."

The annual Excellence in Federal Government Awards program recognizes outstanding federal employees for their efforts, leadership, and initiative. The program encourages innovation and excellence in government, reinforces pride in federal service, and helps call public attention to the broad range of services provided by federal employees.

The program is recognized as an important form of recognition for federal employees in the Honolulu-Pacific area. For more information visit www.honolulu-pacific.feb.gov.