U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Speech by Director James B. King

Swearing-In Ceremony

August 13, 1997

Swearing In Janice Lachance

Thank you, Doug, and good afternoon to you all.

Today is a celebration because were swearing in as Deputy Director someone for whom I have the utmost respect and affection, Janice Lachance.

Janice has dedicated her career to helping people who work for a living, and for the past four years she has served this agency and all of Americas federal civil servants.

She's worked very hard to keep me on track, and sometimes she even succeeded.

Janice will provide continuity of leadership, because as of September 1 she will be Acting Director and I will no longer be a hostage to the winds of change.

I know she will continue to lead this agency along the path of excellence -- and don't think Ill be looking over your shoulder, Janice, because I have my own job to do in Connecticut.

There could be no finer location for this celebration than right here, before our memorial to Theodore Roosevelt. His spirit is with us as we rededicate ourselves to the merit system, and to fair play and equal opportunity for every federal employee, at every level, and of every age, sex and race.

We federal employees are unique, in that each of us swears a sacred oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

I believe, and I know Janice believes, that when we protect the merit system, and veterans preference, and fairness and equality for every federal employee, we are defending the Constitution just as truly as any soldier fighting on the front lines in battle.

We have our battles here, too, don't we, Janice?

I'm not going to burst into song, but I am reminded of a great old anthem, James Weldon Johnson's Lift Every Voice and Sing, and in particular these lines:

"Facing the rising sun, Of a new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won."

This agency is truly facing the rising sun and I have no doubt that its victory will be won.

Now, if Janice will step forward, and her mother, Mrs. Rachael Lachance, Ill administer the oath.

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Web page created 23 October 1997