FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29, 2014

Missouri state employees honored at annual recognition event

JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri state employees were recognized today for their dedication to public service at the annual Missouri State Employee Recognition Day ceremony held on the south lawn of the Missouri State Capitol. This event was part of the Missouri State Employee Recognition Week celebration.

Missouri State Employee Recognition Week provides an opportunity to say “thank you” to the dynamic and innovative employees who touch the lives of Missouri citizens every day through their professionalism, commitment to excellence and diligence. This year’s theme is State Employees – Missouri’s Pride.

“State employees work every day to preserve public safety and the health of our citizens, encourage economic development, build and maintain our highways, schools and other infrastructure, protect citizens’ rights, help educate our children, and handle a host of other essential duties entrusted to them,” said Office of Administration Commissioner Doug Nelson. “Their continued dedication to providing the highest quality of service for all of our state’s citizens makes Missouri a place we can all be proud to call home.”

In addition to State Employee Recognition Week and Day, nine Missouri state employees will receive the annual Missouri State Employee Awards of Distinction. Recipients of the 2014 program were:

Heroism (3 recipients)

§  Troopers Joseph Palmer and Brooks Pratt – Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol

§  Trooper Jeffry Leathers – Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol

Awarded for demonstrating exceptional judgment or courage in a potentially serious situation outside the scope of the workplace, or in a situation far above and beyond the duties and responsibilities of the employee’s position and which reflect credit upon the State of Missouri.

Human Relations

§  Jennifer Cook – Department of Social Services, Family Support Division