

During his term as United States Civil Service Commissioner (1889-1895) the full force of his energy, enthusiasm, and aggressiveness was put to the task of building up the Federal civil service system. Roosevelt's enthusiastic efforts on behalf of reform led then President Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) to appoint him as U.S. His enthusiasm and perseverance to reform the civil service thrust him into the national spotlight as he challenged the corrupt style of politics in the state of New York. As a New York State Assemblyman, he had worked hard for passage of the New York State Civil Service Act of 1883, the first state civil service act in the nation. Theodore Roosevelt's dedication to civil service reform began in 1881 as a member of the New York Civil Service Reform Association. His leadership brought a thriving period of major governmental expansion that developed into the current Federal Service system. Under his influence many new agencies were created to perform functions for which the need had long existed. He began with setting the foundation of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 and during his seven years as President the foundations of the modern Federal Government were laid. At OPM, we often invoke his name due to his many achievements that helped establish Federal Service into the system it is today. Throughout Theodore Roosevelt's life he fought to make strides for a merit based civil service system. With unbridled courage, zeal, and tenacity, Theodore Roosevelt worked to ensure a hiring system for America's government workers based on fairness and equal access and protection for all-making him the undisputed father of today's Federal Service. Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care." Theodore Roosevelt Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee.Facilities, Security & Emergency Management.Congressional, Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs.Merit System Accountability & Compliance.
