Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin

Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Steven D. Garbarino of Owings Mills, MD, on the completion of a highly successful 27-year career as a civilian employee within the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District, on January 31, 2012. Mr. Garbarino's entire career was marked by his daily demonstration of the Army's values. His performance reflected a strong loyalty to the organization and its members; a selfless dedication to duty, his customers and the Corps' public service mission; and a no-nonsense ``can-do'' attitude built upon honor, integrity, superior competence, and the personal courage to strive for excellence in his job performance. I applaud his commitment to public service and recognize the sacrifices he has made for the good of our Nation. Mr. Garbarino highlights the importance of hard-working Federal workers who strive to keep us healthy, safe, informed, and free to enjoy the lifestyle that we, as Americans, have grown to appreciate and expect. He is a model Federal employee who readily deserves recognition for his distinguished career as a professional member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

As a project manager, Mr. Garbarino made significant personal efforts to become a subject matter expert on policy, procedures, and processes associated with the Civil Works Program and projects. This expertise led him to serve as a mentor to project team members and other Civil Works project managers.

Mr. Garbarino has also authored several environmental technical report/papers and made numerous presentations related to his work. Forums for these presentations have included numerous workshops, conferences, public meetings, televised interviews, radio talk shows, and the United Nations 1995 conference on environmental restoration. Over his career he has developed a strong public speaking presence and is recognized for his outstanding professional representation of the Corps.

I also want to thank Diane, Steve's wife of over 30 years, and their two sons, Garret and Zachery. The families of outstanding Federal employees have to make sacrifices, too, as they share their loved ones with a job serving the American people. I know they join me in my best wishes to Steve for a happy and well-earned retirement.

Mr. President, it is my sincere pleasure to congratulate Mr. Garbarino on the occasion of his retirement. He was a highly valued employee of the Baltimore District and well deserves recognition in 2012 for his outstanding public service career as a distinguished member of the Federal workforce. He is an outstanding example of the Federal workforce who worked tirelessly day in and day out for the American people.