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July 1, 2008
4-H'ers Receive Congressional Gold Medals
By Danielle Tucker--The Congressional Award
On Thursday, June 19, 2008, 237 young Americans, 21 of them 4-H'ers, were recognized with The Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon young people by the United States Congress.
The Gold Congressional Award Ceremony took place in Washington, DC in the Cannon House Office Building and was presided over by the Joint Leadership Commission of the U.S. Congress. Executive Director of the National Drug Court Institute, Mr. C. West Huddleston, III, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Ms. Judy Vredenburgh, served as keynote speakers at the event.
Signed into law in 1979, The Congressional Award is designed to promote initiative, achievement, and excellence among youth. The Award is non-competitive and open to all young people--regardless of physical, mental or socio-economic circumstances--between 14 and 23 who set and achieve goals in four areas: public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration.
The Congressional Award Foundation partnered with National 4-H Council in 1999 to expand the opportunities for more 4-H'ers to benefit from Congress' Award to young people. 4-H'ers receiving the award in 2008 are: Mary-Lynn Piper, Bitburg Germany; Katherine McClellan, Lawrenceville, GA; Laura Webb, Berea, KY; Michelle Lopez-Gourley, Mathiston, MS; Laura Owen, Saltillo, MS; Iver Vandiver II and Brad Young, Corinth, MS; Jonathan Whitlock, Iuka, MS; Lynice Higgins, Hazlehurst, MS; Thomas Kazery, Jackson, MS; Tiffany Holder, Starkville, MS; Amanda Layton, Magee, MS; Holly Webb, Forrest, MS; Kaylee Keith, Laurel, MS; Scott Florence, Weatherby Lake, MO; David Bales, Sewell, NJ; Alexa I. Kretsch, Eatontown, NJ; Michael J. Atkins, Jr., Pikeville, NC; James Van Eerden, Stokesdale, NC; Kathleen Burch, Christiansburg, VA; and Shana Wolff, Cheyenne, WY.
More than 10,000 Congressional Awards have been earned since the Congressional Award Act was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, representing well over 2 million volunteer hours per-formed in community service across America. A public-private partnership, The Congressional Award Foundation is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that receives no federal funds. To register to earn The Congressional Award, call 1-888-80-AWARD, or visit the web site at: Congressionalaward.org
Posted in category Awards and Recognition at 10:15 AM