U.S. Department of Labor's Annabelle Lockhart to Receive 2006
National Public Service Award

OASAM News Release: [04/04/2006] Contact Name: Peggy Abrahamson or Public Affairs Phone Number: 202-693-7909 or 202-693-4676 Release Number: 06-595-NAT

U.S. Department of Labor's Annabelle Lockhart to Receive 2006 National Public Service Award

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) employee Annabelle Lockhart today received the 2006 National Public Service Award for her work in educating state and local employment specialists about equal opportunity resources, integrating technology into the department's equal opportunity training, and uniting DOL management and unions behind an equal opportunity mediation process.

The American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration established the award in 1983 to honor individuals whose accomplishments are models of public service within and outside the work environment. Lockhart is also being recognized for volunteer work with local groups that assist homeless families and serve youth and the elderly. The awards ceremony took place at the Marriott Tech Center in Denver, Colo.

"Civil servants are not often recognized as pioneers. However, Ms. Lockhart's demonstrated dedication to public service, in particular to the field of civil rights, has led to tangible and substantial contributions so that employees can gain real equal opportunity," said Patrick Pizzella, assistant secretary of labor for administration and management.

Lockhart directs the department's Civil Rights Center as well as an external civil rights compliance and enforcement system which ensures that state and local governments and thousands of other entities receiving financial assistance from DOL uphold the principles of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.

Lockhart began her federal career with the Employment and Training Administration while still attending law school. She subsequently joined the Solicitor's Office and rose to become Counsel for Labor Relations before becoming deputy director in 1988 of the former Directorate of Civil Rights. She was promoted to the position of director in 1989 and has over 29 years of federal service, all of which have been with DOL.

Lockhart created the federal government's first National Annual Conference for Equal Opportunity Professionals, now in its 17th year and attracting more than 350 people from all states and U.S. territories. This program is unique to the federal government and has been recognized by the U.S. Civil Rights Commission as a model to educate recipients of federal financial assistance about their nondiscrimination and equal opportunity responsibilities.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.