Sammies narrow to four amid federal workforce upheaval

The Partnership for Public Service narrowed 2026’s Service to America Medals (the Sammies) to four honorees, down from prior years, citing upheaval in the federal workforce—including the loss of more than 300,000 federal employees—and a strained White House–career staff relationship that reduced nominations. Honorees include Gharun Lacy (State) for stopping a China-linked cyberattack, James Szykman (EPA) for collaborating with NASA on the TEMPO satellite to monitor air pollution, Jill Frisch (formerly IRS) for tax-revenue recovery through litigation, and Ransom Baldwin, Curtis Van Tassell, and Paul VanRaden (USDA) for dairy cattle genetics research improving milk production and animal health. The awards will be presented during Public Service Recognition Week at the National Museum of the American Indian, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sammies.