Transcript - Remarks: Joe Biden Presents the Presidential Rank Awards to Agency Employees - May 2, 2022 | Factba.se

Joe Biden

00:00:00 - 00:00:12 ()

Well, thank you all. Kiran, thank you for the great job you're doing leading the Office of Personnel Management.

Joe Biden

00:00:12 - 00:00:30 ()

And thank you, Diana -- Diana. And thank you most of all for the difference you've made. You've really made a difference in people's lives, and you saved people's lives in the process -- helping speed resources to hospitals and healthcare workers on the frontlines when they needed the help the most -- because you and your team delivered.

Joe Biden

00:00:30 - 00:00:43 ()

There are families who gather around the dinner table tonight, and it's completely filled -- there's no empty chairs. A million people have died. A million people have died, but think of all of the lives you helped save.

Joe Biden

00:00:43 - 00:00:56 ()

You know, they may not know your name, but you have their gratitude. And that's what public service is all about. It's that -- it's that -- what the President Rank Awards are all about.

Joe Biden

00:00:56 - 00:01:09 ()

They're about the families in every corner of this country whose lives all of you -- all of you who are behind me on those screen -- all of you have touched. Every single one of you.

Joe Biden

00:01:09 - 00:01:14 ()

Those families may never know your names, but you have their gratitude.

Joe Biden

00:01:14 - 00:01:41 ()

It was my honor to re-establish these awards last year after the previous administration made the decision to cancel them. Because these awards are about more than individual recognition. They're a reminder to all of us -- to everyone -- of the extraordinary capacity, creativity, diversity, and dedication of our federal workforce and a reminder -- a reminder of why you all -- all the work you do matters so much.

Joe Biden

00:01:41 - 00:01:57 ()

You know, a couple of weeks before I was sworn in, in January 2021, I sent a message to all career civil servants. And I meant it at the time and I still mean it. I told them that we're a team. One team. One America. And I meant it.

Joe Biden

00:01:57 - 00:02:35 ()

Over the last 15 months, you've helped us deliver so much to the American people: helping stand up a wartime effort to get the country vaccinated; getting checks into people's pockets of families who needed help, literally just to keep food on the table, keep a roof over their heads; helping communities rebuild in the wake of storms and wildfires; and caring for our veterans; cleaning up the polluted lands and waters; implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to deliver good-paying job opportunities and game-changing investments to communities all across America; and so much more.

Joe Biden

00:02:35 - 00:02:49 ()

Most of all, you've restored the faith -- the faith of millions of Americans in their government -- that their government sees them and hears them, that we listen to them, respect them, and reflect them.

Joe Biden

00:02:49 - 00:03:02 ()

You're helping restore their faith that democracy can deliver in America. And by restoring their faith and coming through for them today, you're helping strengthen our country for tomorrow, in a literal sense.

Joe Biden

00:03:02 - 00:03:21 ()

Look, you and your colleagues couldn't have done -- if you had the opportunity, looking back on it, probably would've -- you could've done anything -- almost anything with your careers. You're so talented. But you chose public service. And the families in every corner of this country are better off today because you made that choice.

Joe Biden

00:03:21 - 00:03:41 ()

Not only are you helping to confront the great challenges of our time, you're showing America, the world that we can do -- what we can do when we come together and lead with honor and integrity, as you all have had being recognized today, with a federal government that looks like America and gets things done for all Americans.

Joe Biden

00:03:41 - 00:04:03 ()

So I want to say simply: Thank you, thank you, thank you -- not only to you, but to your families as well -- for faci- -- for the sacrifices you've all made to serve our nation and to deliver for all those folks around the kitchen tables tonight, and today and this morning and tomorrow and the next day, who might never know your names.

Joe Biden

00:04:03 - 00:04:09 ()

It makes a difference. I hope that these awards remind each of you of why you're here and why it matters.

Joe Biden

00:04:09 - 00:04:22 ()

So, let's keep it up. Let's keep delivering for the American people, because I tell you what: We work for them, and we have to do our job. And you're doing it incredibly well.

Joe Biden

00:04:22 - 00:04:29 ()

Thank you for all your exemplary work. And congratulations to all of you. May God bless you all. And may God protect our troops.

Joe Biden

00:04:29 - 00:04:31 ()

Thank you all so very, very much. Thank you.

Question

00:04:31 - 00:04:35 ()

Mr. President, when are you meeting with Austin Tice's parents?

Joe Biden

00:04:35 - 00:04:36 ()

Question

00:04:36 - 00:04:36 ()

Mr. President, have you made a decision on student loan debt?

Joe Biden

00:04:36 - 00:04:37 ()