APRIL 2003 - - Every day in South Carolina, a Department of Natural Resources officer undocks his boat to patrol the state's lakes and streams. He has the task of ensuring the safety of boaters, wildlife and the environment.

To do his job, the officer uses his sense of direction, his knowledge of indigenous plant and animal life, his love of the natural world, and his firm belief that our natural resources must be regulated if they are to be preserved.

He works on weekends and on holidays. He responds to emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. At the times when many of us are outdoors taking advantage of recreation opportunities offered by our state's diverse natural environment, this officer is needed most.

This officer is one of more than 60,000 South Carolinians who work in hundreds of places across our state to ensure the state runs efficiently and effectively. They quietly perform tasks with pride because they understand the importance of what they do. As career public servants, they are the vital cogs in a complex apparatus of state government that seeks to meet the varying and complex needs of South Carolinians who live in our rapidly changing environment.

In short, our state employees ensure the quality of life we expect is always there for us. Their jobs are not glamorous. They do not receive the maximum financial incentives available, but the work is absolutely necessary. And they deserve to be recognized.

This month, I am proud to announce the Blue Granite Recognition, a new platform to showcase extraordinary performance by South Carolina state employees. Named after our state stone, the Recognition will highlight the bedrock of our state infrastructure, state employees.

This new monthly program specifically is called a "recognition," not an award, for a very special reason. "Awards" generally are made after some kind of competition is held. The Blue Granite Recognition isn't the result of a contest. It's a visible reminder of the excellence state employees provide in all corners of the state every day - - from public servants who work with at-risk youth to help put them on the right track to those who prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters.

Those recognized may be employees who procure and manage state and federal disaster-relief funds or those who maintain state facilities and landmarks. Blue Granite designees may be state employees who patrol our streets and highways to help keep crime at bay. They may be caregivers who provide homeless children with a place to flourish. Winners will come from the ranks of historians, health care providers, environmental analysts and prison workers. They'll be teachers who fight illiteracy and those who give bright and motivated high school students the opportunity to pursue their passions.

Simply put, the Blue Granite Recognition will honor the best of our state's public-sector workers. They'll be living models of the excellence all state employees offer every day. Common characteristics of winners will be their extraordinary service, selflessness, innovation, insight, initiative and persistence toward exceptional outcomes on behalf of all South Carolinians. Recipients will be those who distinguish themselves by surpassing the expectations outlined for them either in job descriptions or sworn oaths.

Recipients will receive a a 25-pound piece of South Carolina blue granite with the shape of the state cut into it. Inscribed in it will be the name of the recipient along with the words, "The Blue Granite Recognition for Extraordinary Service to South Carolina."

For far too long, the fine things done by our dedicated career state workers have been taken for granted. This recognition is a small way for us to recognize their indispensable services.

For all those state employees who make the daily contributions and sacrifices, let me thank you. And for anyone reading this column, I encourage you to thank state employees and to nominate innovators at our Web site: www.BlueGraniteRecognition.org.

S.C. Sen. Phil Leventis, a Democrat from Sumter, represents Sumter and Lee Counties.