Today, July 30th, is National Whistleblower Appreciation Day as designated by Senate Resolution 202 (published in the Congressional Record Vol. 159, No. 111, p. S6078). Text of Resolution 202
The resolution is based on the first whistleblower legislation probably passed in the birth of the United States by members of the Continental Congress on July 30, 1778. The resolution acknowledges the the Continental Congress legislation that recognizes “the duty of all persons in the service of the United States, as well as all the other inhabitants thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any officers or persons in the service of these states, which may come to their knowledge.” The resolution states the public policy of the United States to encourage “honest and good faith reporting of misconduct, fraud, misdemeanors, another crimes to the appropriate authority at the earliest time possible.”
The resolution encourages each executive agency of the Federal government to “recognize National Whistleblower Appreciation Day by “(A) informing employees, contractors working on behalf of United States taxpayers, and members of the public about the legal rights of citizens of the United States to blow the whistle; and (B) acknowledging the contributions of whistleblowers to combating waste, fraud, abuse, and violations of laws and regulations in the United States.”
In my experience representing whistleblowers in public and private employers, it is one of the most challenging things to do. There is backlash from the employer and even co-workers. It take a lot of courage to do and usually at significant costs. So if you are a whistleblower or know one, the citizens of the United States thank you today for your service to us all.