I am honored to recognize that the U.S. Agency for International Development's Middle East Crisis Humanitarian Response Team, represented by its longtime Response Manager Alex Mahoney, was chosen as a finalist for the 2017 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals for its work leading the U.S. government's humanitarian response in Iraq and Syria.

Since 2011, Mahoney and his team have worked with more than 30 partners to get life-saving assistance to the millions of people affected by conflict in Syria, one of the largest and most complex humanitarian emergencies of our time. The team draws on decades of experience and creativity, using backpacks, trucks, donkeys, and carefully planned humanitarian convoys to reach people in some of the world's most dangerous places.

The Service to America Medals are among the highest honors available to federal workers. They recognize an enduring commitment to breaking down barriers, overcoming obstacles, and achieving results, a commitment which is seen clearly in the work of Mahoney's team.

The team was chosen as one of 26 finalists from more than 430 nominations. Each day Mahoney and his team serve on the frontlines, working through the most difficult circumstances to save lives. To me, they represent the best of USAID and of the U.S. government, and I am proud to call them my colleagues.