Wednesday, March 21, 2012
House of Representatives. Subcommittee Hearing: Building One DHS: Why is Employee Morale Low?
Subcommittee Hearing: Building One DHS: Why is Employee Morale Low?
Subcommittee on
Oversight, Investigations, and Management | 311 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515 | Mar 22, 2012 9:00am
Chairman McCaul on the hearing:
“Secretary Napolitano wants to build "One DHS." She cannot accomplish this while the Department consistently ranks as one of the lowest in employee morale in the U.S. Government. In the Partnership for Public Service Best Places to Work Survey, DHS ranked 31 of 33 in 2011. This is unacceptable. Our hearing will examine the cause for low morale and ways to fix the problem. We look forward to hearing the testimony of Admiral Thad Allen, a proven leader who knows how to both build morale in an organization and accomplish the mission.”
“Secretary Napolitano wants to build "One DHS." She cannot accomplish this while the Department consistently ranks as one of the lowest in employee morale in the U.S. Government. In the Partnership for Public Service Best Places to Work Survey, DHS ranked 31 of 33 in 2011. This is unacceptable. Our hearing will examine the cause for low morale and ways to fix the problem. We look forward to hearing the testimony of Admiral Thad Allen, a proven leader who knows how to both build morale in an organization and accomplish the mission.”
Opening Statements
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman
[opening statement available upon commencement of hearing]]
[opening statement available upon commencement of hearing]]
Witnesses
Panel I
Admiral Thad Allen (Ret.) Senior Vice President Booz Allen Hamilton
Panel II
Ms. Catherine Emerson Chief Human Capital Officer U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. David Maurer Director Homeland Security and Justice Team Government Accountability Office
Mr. Max Stier President and CEO The Partnership for Public Service
Dr. Jeff T. H. Pon Chief Human Resources Officer Society for Human Resource Management
[full text of testimonies available upon commencement of hearing]
Admiral Thad Allen (Ret.) Senior Vice President Booz Allen Hamilton
Panel II
Ms. Catherine Emerson Chief Human Capital Officer U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. David Maurer Director Homeland Security and Justice Team Government Accountability Office
Mr. Max Stier President and CEO The Partnership for Public Service
Dr. Jeff T. H. Pon Chief Human Resources Officer Society for Human Resource Management
[full text of testimonies available upon commencement of hearing]
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Federal Advisory Committees Database
Federal Advisory Committees Database
Agency
|
Committees
| |
ACUS-Administrative Conference of the United States
|
1
| |
ADF-African Development Foundation
|
1
| |
AID-Agency for International Development
|
2
| |
BBG-Broadcasting Board of Governors
|
1
| |
CCR-Commission on Civil Rights
|
51
| |
CFTC-Commodity Futures Trading Commission
|
4
| |
CNCS-Corporation for National and Community Service
|
2
| |
DHS-Department of Homeland Security
|
25
| |
DOC-Department of Commerce
|
63
| |
DOD-Department of Defense
|
48
| |
DOE-Department of Energy
|
25
| |
DOI-Department of the Interior
|
111
| |
DOJ-Department of Justice
|
11
| |
DOL-Department of Labor
|
13
| |
DOS-Department of State
|
24
| |
DOT-Department of Transportation
|
23
| |
EAC-Election Assistance Commission
|
3
| |
ED-Department of Education
|
27
| |
EPA-Environmental Protection Agency
|
21
| |
EXIM-Export-Import Bank of the United States
|
2
| |
FASAB-Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board
|
1
| |
FCAH-Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities
|
1
| |
FCC-Federal Communications Commission
|
8
| |
FDIC-Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
|
3
| |
FRTIB-Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
|
1
| |
GSA-General Services Administration
|
2
| |
HHS-Department of Health and Human Services
|
268
| |
HUD-Department of Housing and Urban Development
|
1
| |
JBEA-Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries
|
1
| |
MMC-Marine Mammal Commission
|
1
| |
NARA-National Archives and Records Administration
|
6
| |
NASA-National Aeronautics and Space Administration
|
5
| |
NCFRR-National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
|
1
| |
NEA-National Endowment for the Arts
|
4
| |
NEH-National Endowment for the Humanities
|
2
| |
NRC-Nuclear Regulatory Commission
|
3
| |
NSF-National Science Foundation
|
54
| |
OPM-Office of Personnel Management
|
6
| |
PC-Peace Corps
|
1
| |
RATB-Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board
|
1
| |
RRB-Railroad Retirement Board
|
1
| |
SBA-Small Business Administration
|
19
| |
SEC-Securities and Exchange Commission
|
1
| |
SSA-Social Security Administration
|
2
| |
STB-Surface Transportation Board
|
2
| |
TRES-Department of the Treasury
|
14
| |
TVA-Tennessee Valley Authority
|
1
| |
USDA-Department of Agriculture
|
166
| |
USTR-Office of the United States Trade Representative
|
4
| |
VA-Department of Veterans Affairs
|
24
| |
$79 - Private Flight Lesson over Washington
As a private-pilot this is something I promote especially for high school students. In these hard economic times nothing is more enjoyable then to give the gift of a lifetime to a student. For those not in the Washington, D.C. area check with a local airport and see what types of discounts are available in your area.
BTW…….Freeway airport is where I obtained my pilot certificate in the early 90’s. Practice area over Bay Bridge and adjoining areas.
$79 - Private Flight Lesson over Washington, Reg. $200
Time left to buy:6 Days, 9 Hours, 21 Minutes
BUY NOW Buy for a friend!
173 Bought
Highlights
· For $79, take an introductory flight lesson with Freeway
Aviation in Bowie, Md.
· Regularly $200, this experience includes 20 minutes of
ground instruction and 40 minutes in flight
· Fly over Washington in a Cessna 172 aircraft with
expansive views of Chesapeake Bay and downtown Annapolis
· Lessons can be scheduled 7 days a week
The Fine Print
Vouchers can be redeemed starting
Saturday, March 24, through March 23, 2013. Limit 1 voucher per person, but 2
additional vouchers may be purchased as gifts. Reservations are required. Must
be 15 years of age or older. 300-pound weight limit. Not valid on major
holidays. Please tip on the full value of the experience. See below for full
terms and conditions.
The Deal
Soar over Chesapeake Bay and downtown Annapolis with a hands-on introductory flight lesson with Freeway Aviation in Bowie, Md. Take off from Freeway Airport, only 40 minutes outside downtown Washington, D.C., and save 60% with this exclusive Local Deal for a 60-minute one-on-one introductory discovery flying lesson with a FAA-certified flight instructor for $79, regularly $200.
Start with 20 minutes of ground instruction that will cover the mechanics and functions of the plane and its controls. Then, experience 40 minutes in flight in a Cessna 172 aircraft and practice the four fundamentals of flight: climbs, turns, descents, and straight and level flight. Aspiring pilots can log the flight time of this deal and use it toward a pilot license.
Terms and Conditions
Vouchers can be redeemed starting Saturday, March 24, through March 23, 2013. Reservations are required. Limit 1 voucher per person, but 2 additional vouchers may be purchased as gifts. 300-pound weight limit. Must be 15 years of age or older. Not valid on major holidays. Tax and gratuity are not included. This deal cannot be combined with any other offer. No cash value or cash back. Must be used in 1 visit.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
BEMA Professional Networking Opportunities
BEMA Network members (All):
Be sure to mark your calendars for the Black Emergency
Managers Association monthly professional networking opportunities every third
Tuesday of the month in the Washington, D.C. area at Busboys & Poets 5th
& K Street, N.W. location.
Meet fellow BEMA members, exchange business cards, and dine
at your leisure on appetizers or on B&P’s other fine menu items.
Join in on discussions on Homeland Security\Emergency
Management advisory council, or other events and meetings attended and coming
up.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in the Washington, D.C.
area.
If you’re visiting from out of town, stop by and say Hello!
Venue: Busboys & Poets ( http://www.busboysandpoets.com/about_5th.php
)
Location: 5th & K
Location
1025 5th Street, NW
Washington,
DC
Time: 5:30 PM
- 8:30 PM
Dates: Tuesday
April 17th
National Infrastructure Advisory Council meeting
National Infrastructure Advisory Council meeting
May 15th
June 19th
July ----------- No networking
Aug
----------- No networking
Sept 18th
National HBCU conference & Black Caucus following week
National HBCU conference & Black Caucus following week
Oct.
16th
Nov. 20th
Dec. 18th
Parking: Street and metered parking is
available.
There
is also a public underground parking garage right below the
restaurant.
restaurant.
A Marc Parc lot is located
directly across from the street open
Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 7 PM.
Parking there is
$10 during the day and $5 after 5 PM.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Achievement gap: It's still about race
In American society, we can't avoid the fact that socioeconomic disparities are racial disparities
By Joe Pettit
11:56 a.m. EST, February 22, 2012
Imagine a report that reached the following three conclusions: In Maryland, 35 percent of males passed Advanced Placement exams, but only 8 percent of females passed them; 70 percent of males who took the AP exams could pass them, but only 28 percent of females could; and nationally, an estimated 79 percent of females who could succeed in AP courses were not even being offered them. The outcry over such differences by gender in achievement and access to AP tests would result in a massive public outcry over obvious systemic failures to educate males and females equally. The injustice would be obvious to everyone.
Now consider the reality: Those same numbers were recently reported, but the "males" were whites and the "females" were blacks. Listen for the outrage. Listen for the calls for immediate reform. Listen for the cries of injustice. Nothing of this sort is to be heard. Why?
Let us now be honest. The results from the first scenario would run counter to the expectations of every parent, teacher, citizen and legislator. It would be clear that something was wrong. The results of the second scenario are exactly what most parents, teachers, citizens and legislators expect. There is no cognitive dissonance because nothing is perceived to be out of the ordinary.
This thought experiment makes clear that racial stigma and racial injustice remain entrenched in our society, our education system and our politics. It also demonstrates three significant problems with the recent analysis of the achievement gap in Maryland. First, it is insufficient to claim that the problem is now more one of class than of race when the poor remain disproportionately black. Second, to argue that educational success is primarily a matter of personal responsibility and effort on the part of students and parents logically entails that black students and parents are far more likely to be irresponsible than their white counterparts. This is racism in pure form. Third, the stigmatizing effects of such analysis eliminate any sense of necessity and urgency for systemic reform.
More black students have succeeded in schools where greater success by white students is still very much the norm. Black success in schools that are predominantly black remains rare. Therefore, noting that the achievement gap is closing in racial terms will still not change the face of success or the face of failure. Nor will it do to pretend the problem is now only a matter of class rather than race when, in Baltimore City Public Schools, 86 percent of the students are black and 84 percent of the students are low-income.
Every student and every parent is responsible for taking education very seriously. But this obvious truth does not explain who is responsible for differences in educational outcomes. In the imagined scenario of differences between males and females, it would still be true that all males, females and their parents should take their education seriously. But when drastic differences in educational outcomes are considered, it would be assumed that factors other than the effort of the students and parents are responsible. Otherwise, one would have to conclude that female students and their parents are somehow to blame for the differences.
Yet, too many are happy to blame black students and parents for their lack of effort and, in doing so, wash their hands of any concerns about systemic injustice. They conflate questions of responsibility for individual actions and responsibility for racial inequality. Additionally, they suggest that the success of white students is strictly a matter of merit, rather than systemic and historical advantages.
The question is not why this or that black student has such poor educational outcomes. The question is why there is such a difference in educational outcomes between whites and blacks. To conclude that this difference is explained in terms of individual responsibility requires us to conclude that blacks as a group are intellectually and morally less capable of educational success than whites. This creates an obvious stigma that robs all blacks of opportunity — even the successful ones. Even blacks who achieve great things, not to mention those who achieve only average success, will still live under a public cloud of suspicion that the problems characterizing blacks a group are simply lurking under the surface of their lives, waiting to reveal themselves at school, at work or in communities.
Unless we reject this stigmatizing logic loudly and at every turn, we will never begin to address questions of racial injustice. We will continue to make the likelihood of educational and economic success depend far too much on skin color, and we will all be complicit, willingly or not, in supporting the ongoing triumph of white supremacy in our country.
Joe Pettit is an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Morgan State University. His email is morganprof@yahoo.com.
Copyright © 2012, The Baltimore Sun
Achievement Gap: It's Still about Race