This week, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management celebrates the 160th birthday of the father of today's civil service, Theodore Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt, also known as Teddy Roosevelt or TR, lived
a life of service, accomplishment, and adventure.
Throughout his life, Roosevelt wore many hats: TR served as
New York City Police Commissioner, was appointed Assistant U.S. Navy Secretary
under President McKinley, and founded the volunteer cavalry known as the Rough
Riders in the Spanish-American War. He was also elected Governor of New York
and later, President of the United States.
But perhaps most importantly to the U.S. Office of Personnel
Management, Theodore Roosevelt served as U.S. Civil Service Commissioner from
1889 to 1895, where he fought to ensure a federal hiring system rooted in
fairness and equal access and protection for all.
As
Civil Service Commissioner, he aggressively led efforts to investigate fraud
and political abuse in government and expose corrupt government officials.
One
week into his job, he recommended the removal of examination board members in
New York for selling test questions to the public for $50.
Later, during his tenure as our nation’s 26th President,
Roosevelt worked to broaden the scope of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883
by establishing a merit-based civil service system.
TR believed civil service reform should be based on three
principles:
·
Opportunities should be made equal for all citizens;
·
Only those who have merit should be appointed to
federal jobs; and
·
Public servants should not suffer for their political
beliefs.
During his administration, President Roosevelt prioritized
modernizing the Federal Government. Some of his reforms established the
foundation for the modern merit system, including:
·
Position-classification based on duties;
·
The establishment of the modern job survey in Federal
Service; and
·
Requirements for stricter compliance of restrictions against
political activity by Federal officials.
Evidence of TR’s reforms can still be seen today.
In the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the merit system
principles were codified into law, which states,
...to provide the people of the United States with a
competent, honest, and productive workforce...and to improve the quality of
public service, Federal personnel management should be implemented consistent
with merit system principles.
Today, the merit
system principles exist as framework for accountability to ensure Federal
employees behave responsibility and work toward mission success.
In 1992, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Washington
Headquarters was named the “Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building,” in honor of
TR’s contributions and dedication to our civil service system.
This week, we continue to honor Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy
and his impact on the modern civil service system by remembering his 160th
birthday.
Please be sure to join in the conversation on social media by
using #TRFact and #TR160, so that together, we can celebrate and remember Theodore
Roosevelt’s service to our country and his lasting impact on our nation’s civil
service.