2021 Sammies Finalists, New COVID-19 Response Medal Announced
This year’s Sammies finalists were announced on May 2, 2021 by the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. A group of 29 exceptional federal employees are finalists to receive Sammies, more formally known as the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals.
“For each of the unprecedented challenges we have faced in the last year, dedicated public servants have worked behind the scenes to move our country forward, heal our nation and strengthen our democracy,” said Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. “The 2021 Service to America Medals finalists have shown tremendous commitment to the public good, and they, like all public servants, deserve our support and recognition.”
In addition to the six long-standing Service to America Medals, this year the Partnership is adding a COVID-19 Response medal “to recognize a federal employee or team for their outstanding efforts to support Americans’ health, safety and economic security during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Finalists for the new award include the Department of State’s Interagency COVID Repatriation team, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Economic Impact Payment Team, and research, program, and regulatory personnel from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The achievements of the other 2021 finalists include leading a first-of-its-kind government team that worked with technology companies to combat misinformation that threatened the integrity of the 2020 census; successfully leading federal assistance for the 2020-21 presidential transition in the midst of the pandemic and a disputed election; overseeing the landing of a rover on Mars; a successful U.S. flight to the International Space Station and planning to put the first woman and first person of color on the moon; and launching a program that provides housing assistance and social services to young people aging out of foster care to prevent them from becoming homeless.
On Wednesday, May 5, at 12:30 p.m. EDT, the Partnership and Axios will air a virtual event to recognize the 2021 Service to America Medal finalists. Winners will be announced in the fall.
All 29 finalists are also eligible for the Service to America Medals People’s Choice Award. Members of the public can vote online for the federal employee they believe has made the most significant contributions in public service. The winner will be announced in the summer.
