Washington, D.C. - In recognition of her work to update the federal government's human resources operations, Human Resource Executive, a leading human resources publication, has placed U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James on its "Honor Roll."

Learning of the recognition, James said: "Effective personnel systems are the backbone to national security and homeland security. In the final analysis, those federal agencies which are responsible for maintaining our national and homeland security must have at their disposal human resources that are modern, mission-focused, and merit based. That is why I am so proud of the fact that Human Resource Executive has honored me in this way and recognized our work with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and the leadership of DHS' major employee unions. We continue working together to develop a modern civil service system for DHS -- a system that both meets its critical mission-related needs and will serve as a model for agencies and departments throughout the federal government."

James' selection was based on her meeting prescribed criteria established by Human Resource Executive judges, including the ability to handle significant problems and obstacles in the human resources field; the candidate's role/success in establishing the human resource function as an integral part of his or her organization; the candidate's management skills as demonstrated within the human resource function; and the candidate's contributions to the human resources profession as a whole.

"It is important for me to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the staff at OPM. They have risen to the challenge of finding and rooting out problems where they exist, and their energy is producing results on behalf of the American people. We don't shy from responsibility -- we welcome it."

The 2004 HR Honor Roll winners were profiled in the Oct. 16 issue of Human Resource Executive, which is published by LRP Publications and based in Horsham, Pa.

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