The Franklin D. Roosevelt Distinguished Public Service Awards honor individuals whose careers exemplify President Roosevelt’s extraordinary dedication to public service and seek to inspire a renewed national commitment to the principles for which FDR stood.

Change can take a lifetime, and these men and women have dedicated their lives to the public good, never limiting themselves to what seemed possible when they began. Each year, we celebrate their courage, commitment, and values.

Past DPSA Recipients


2022

Chairwoman Maxine Waters

Communications Workers of America President Christopher M. Shelton

2021

US Rep. Frank Pallone

Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Liz Shuler

2019

Chairwoman Maxine Waters

Communications Workers of America President Christopher M. Shelton

2018

SEIU President Mary Kay Henry President

Senator Chris Murphy

2017

The Honorable Sherrod Brown

President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten

Dr. Ernest Moniz

2016

AFSCME President Lee Saunders

Congressman Keith Ellison

US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy

2015

Senator Elizabeth Warren

Congressman Xavier Becerra

President Edwin D. Hill

2014

Senator Tom Harkin

Congressman George Miller

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro

2013

The Honorable Barney Frank

International Brotherhood of the Teamsters President James P. Hoffa

The Honorable Chris Dodd

US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

2011

Senator Jeff Bingaman

Senator Richard Durbin

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

2010

Congressman John Dingell

Senator Thomas Daschle