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Get ready to cheer on the heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our cities functioning! Public Works Week kicks off on May 19, a time to show our appreciation for the hardworking professionals who maintain our roads, bridges, parks and water supply. Instituted in 1960 by the American Public Works Association (APWA), this week honors the vital contribution these unsung heroes make to our lives every day. Without them, we wouldn't enjoy the smoothly functioning cities and towns we live in. So let's get ready to celebrate and say a big thank you to our public works professionals!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Creation of Public Works Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Public Works Association (APWA) initiates Public Works Week to recognize public works professionals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1972</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Clean Water Act Enacted</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. government passes the Clean Water Act, highlighting the crucial role of public works in maintaining safe and clean water.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1987</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Infrastructure Report Card Initiation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The APWA collaborates in the creation of the Infrastructure Report Card, pointing out the significance of public works in infrastructure maintenance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1999</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion of Public Works Definition</div><div class='timeline-text'>A broader definition of public works is embraced, including parks, solid waste, and public buildings.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Emphasis on Disaster Management</div><div class='timeline-text'>Post Hurricane Katrina, the disaster management role of public works gets more recognition and emphasis in Public Works Week celebrations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Sustainability Focus</div><div class='timeline-text'>There's a renewed emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices in modern public works operations.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tour a Public Works Facility</h3><p class='facts-text'>Get a firsthand look into where these professionals work everyday. Check with your local Public Works Department to see if they're hosting tours during the week. Getting a closer look at their operations might give you a newfound appreciation for all the work they do.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a thank you banner</h3><p class='facts-text'>Show your appreciation in a big way! Get together with friends, family, or community members to create a large sign or banner thanking the public works team. Place it in your yard, a community park, or somewhere where it can be easily seen.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in a clean-up initiative</h3><p class='facts-text'>One of the best ways to show appreciation for these professionals is by helping keep our cities clean. Organize a community cleanup day during Public Works Week. It could be as simple as picking up trash in your neighborhood or as involved as beautifying a community park.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Express your gratitude personally</h3><p class='facts-text'>Simple thank you's go a long way. If you see a public works professional in your neighborhood, take a moment to express your gratitude for their hard work. Thank them for their role in making your city a better place to live.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Engage in social media campaigns</h3><p class='facts-text'>Spread the word on social media! Post photos or stories about the good work these professionals are doing in your community. Use popular public works hashtags to share your messages of gratitude and recognition.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a Chance to Recognize Unsung Heroes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Public Works Week is an opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation for the professionals who maintain our cities but often go unrecognized. From maintaining roads and bridges to ensuring the supply of clean water, their daily contributions significantly improve our quality of life.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Increases Community Awareness and Engagement </h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Public Works Week encourages community involvement through various activities and initiatives like facility tours and clean-up drives. It promotes a greater understanding of the scope of work public works professionals do, facilitating stronger community bonds and fostering a sense of pride in our cities and towns.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages Personal Gratitude Expressions</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether it's creating a thank-you banner or expressing gratitude on social media, Public Works Week offers multiple avenues for individuals to personally acknowledge and thank public work professionals. These personal expressions of gratitude not only make their day but also remind us of the valuable work they do.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Public Works Encompass a Wide Range of Services</h3><p class='facts-content'>Besides well-known tasks like road repair and trash collection, public works departments are also responsible for things like storm water management, maintaining public buildings and spaces, and even traffic engineering.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Public Works is Vital for Public Safety</h3><p class='facts-content'>One of the major roles of public works is in ensuring public safety by managing critical infrastructure, emergency support functions, and providing essential resources for disaster management planning and response.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Public Works and Sustainable Practices</h3><p class='facts-content'>Public works departments are increasingly involved in implementing environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices, from managing green spaces to developing energy-efficient public transportation options.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Public Works is a Major Employer</h3><p class='facts-content'>Public works departments provide jobs to millions of people across the country, contributing not only to community development but also to economic stability.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Public Works Professionals are Highly Skilled and Diverse</h3><p class='facts-content'>The field of public works requires a wide range of skills and specializations. Employees include engineers, administrators, technicians, managers, mechanic, and operators, displaying the depth and diversity within public works professions.</p></div></div>
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