Congressional Award

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The Congressional Award is an award given by Congress to outstanding young Americans. In 1979, the United States Congress established the award program to "recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people." The Congressional Award is a nonpartisan, voluntary, and non-competitive award. The program is open for all individuals from the age of 14 up until their 24th birthday.[1]

The Congressional Award recognizes the setting and meeting of goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. Based on time commitments to each of the areas, participants earn bronze, silver, or gold Congressional Award certificates and bronze, silver, or gold Congressional Award medals.

The Congressional Award was written into law on November 16, 1979, by Public Law 96-114, The Congressional Award Act. The enabling legislation was sponsored by Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming and Congressman James J. Howard of New Jersey.

The Congressional Award is a public–private partnership officially registered as a 501(c) non-profit organization,^[1] funded entirely by private-sector donations.^[2] As a legal entity, the award is a public–private partnership, and its status as a nonprofit organization makes it Congress's only charity.

As of September 2011, according to the Congressional Award Foundation, more than 50,000 youths had registered as participants.

The Congressional Award is one of Congress's two awards specifically for youth, the other being the Congressional Medal of Merit.