Governor Evers: ‘Thank you for everything that you do for Wisconsinites and our state’

Governor Evers and the Universities of Wisconsin asked that the following communication be sent to all state agency employees.

Dedicated Colleagues: 

In recognition of State Employee Appreciation Day and Public Service Recognition Week (accessible version), I want to share my sincere gratitude and admiration for the dedication, humility, and perseverance that you and our state workers demonstrate every day in service to the people of Wisconsin.

I have spent 50 years of my life in public service and, over the course of those five decades, I’ve had the profound privilege to work alongside countless passionate, smart, hard-working, and creative people in public service working to do good things for families and communities across our state. I feel so humbled and fortunate to have had that opportunity.

Working and serving alongside our more than 30,000 state workers, I have never stopped being amazed by the extraordinary efforts of the people who choose to use their talents, expertise, and experience to improve the lives of our neighbors and help make sure they can access the services, assistance, and care they need. While public service has sure changed a lot since I got my first gig in public service as a science teacher in Baraboo 50 years ago, what’s never changed or wavered has been my respect for the Wisconsinites who do this work every single day. Your work matters so much to me and so many, and it has been one of the great honors of my life to work alongside you as governor.

So, on behalf of a grateful governor, cabinet, administration, and state, thank you.

I’ve recorded a brief video message to express my thanks to you in celebration of Public Service Recognition Week and State Employee Appreciation Day, which you can find here and by clicking on the video below.

While there remains much to do in the coming days and months ahead—and, believe me, we aren’t going to let up—I know this work isn’t always easy or glamorous. But, folks, it is darn important.

Especially with near-constant chaos coming out of Washington, including mass firings of public workers, attacks on kids and families, seniors, farmers, veterans, public schools, and education at every level, and cuts to basic-need programs, funding, and services that millions of Wisconsinites and Americans rely on, our work has arguably never been more important. We must keep working together in earnest every day for the well-being of the kids, families, and communities across Wisconsin who are counting on us to do the right thing and get them the support and assistance they need and deserve.

As we keep up our efforts to move our state Forward, as always, know that I will continue to be here supporting you and your work each step of the way as your governor. I will continue to use every power and tool available to me to fight against attacks on public service, defend our important services and programs, and do everything I can to make sure you have the resources you need to continue our important work in service of the people of our state.

There is plenty more good work ahead of us, and we’ve got a lot to get done in the coming days and months. Thank you for everything that you do for Wisconsinites and our state. I am so deeply, deeply grateful. Let’s keep up the good work, folks.

Forward, and for Wisconsin, always.

Humbly yours in service, 

Governor Tony Evers