Center Resident - Janis JJ Jackson - 2008 Excellence in Government Awards Program - 3-Apr-08: Client News article: contact Roshindia Pinesett

In late February 2008, Mr. J. M. Hedge, Chief, Support Services Division (SSD) for the Houston VA Regional Office, received the initial correspondence from the Houston Federal Executive Board (FEB) soliciting nominations for the 2008 Excellence in Government Awards Program. This is an annual special event that is sponsored by the Houston FEB, which is devoted to recognizing extraordinary accomplishments by exceptional Federal employees. There are ten (10) categories of winners that are recognized at an Awards Luncheon that will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, which coincides with National Public Service Recognition Week.

Mr. Hedge was proud to nominate our very own Janis Jackson, a resident at Cullen and a Mail Clerk at V.A. Medical Center, for consideration to receive the 2008 Award for Employees With Disabilities. The category description was for any employee who is physically disabled and through significant personal effort has overcome the disability and performed his or her job in an exceptional manner. After reading the description, without hesitation, he immediately thought of Janis and began writing up the nomination. Although he knew that the competition would be stiff, he was confident that “JJ's” efforts and accomplishments were noteworthy and would be very competitive.

This week, Mr. Hedge received the fantastic and exciting news from Mr. Michael Mason, Executive Director, Houston Federal Executive Board that Janis was selected as the winner for the 2008 Excellence in Government Award - Employees With Disabilities.

In Mr. Hedge’s professional opinion, Janis serves as a role model for people with disabilities, in that, despite her own limitations, she has overcome her disabilities to the very best of her ability and has exceeded our employment expectations in so many ways. As the actual award nomination states, "JJ has established herself as a valued member of the mailroom team and she positively contributes each day in support of our mission to provide the very best service to our nation's Veterans." Needless to say, Janis is blessed with a wonderful family and the staff at the Center, who have guided her to be independent in her activities of daily living. Janis is assertive, understands and exercises her personal rights, which is evident in her choices of her routine, activities, goals and personal relationships. We, as well as her parents, are very proud of her efforts and of this wonderful recognition.

Mr. Hedge comments, “Janis is not only a role model for people with disabilities...she has inspired our leadership team, her supervisors, and her coworkers with her enthusiasm, positive attitude and the sense of urgency that she exhibits when performing her assigned duties and responsibilities. JJ is one in a million!"