Three at Department of Labor recognized for achievements in public service

WASHINGTON — The non-profit, non-partisan Partnership for Public Service, at an awards ceremony tonight, will present the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, known as "Sammies," to public servants in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Edward C. Hugler, deputy assistant secretary for operations at the U.S. Department of Labor, will be honored with the Management Excellence Medal.

Two other department employees were finalists for Sammies: Kevin Stricklin, the administrator for coal mine safety and health at the Mine Safety and Health Administration, in conjunction with the MSHA Mine Emergency Team; and Anna Dozier, a senior investigator with the Employee Benefits and Security Administration. Stricklin and the MSHA team were finalists in the Citizen Services category, and Dozier was a finalist in the Homeland Security and Law Enforcement category.

The Partnership for Public Service honored Hugler for solving numerous management challenges, including rescuing the department's financial management system when the service provider declared bankruptcy and leading the creation and growth of Benefits.gov, a one-stop resource that helps individuals access more than 1,200 government benefits and assistance programs.

"The recognition of Ed, Kevin and Anna underscores the importance of public service and of taking on challenges, finding solutions, and always striving for better ways to create employment opportunities, ensure workplace safety and health, and safeguard economic security," Deputy Secretary of Labor Christopher P. Lu said. "In their own ways, they demonstrate the essential role that the department plays in the lives of millions of people across this great nation."

The medals program is named in memory of business leader and philanthropist Samuel J. Heyman, who in 2001 founded the Partnership for Public Service to inspire a new generation to serve in government.