Message from the National Office
On behalf of the National Board of Directors and the Congressional Award Gold Medal Alumni Association, it is my pleasure and true honor to congratulate the recipients of the 2008 Congressional Award Gold Medal.  I share in the joy and admiration, as I too earned the Gold Medal in 1996. 

The Congressional Award teaches, through its requirements, the necessity of values in our society.  It is the responsibility of everyone who has earned the Congressional Award to help engrave values in our youth; however, without direction there is little achievement.  The Congressional Award Program demanded vision on our part, requiring us to think about our future when we began to work on our goals. We had to ask ourselves where we would be geographically located at the conclusion of the program and which goals were acceptable and achievable.  We need an accurate, honest and directed voice to bring our vision of a better world to reality.  With this commited group of recipients and alumni, I know the great opportunities our united voices can bring to our people and our communities.

Congratulations once again to the 2008 recipients of the Congressional Award Gold Medal.  Let us all continue to make the Congressional Award program accessible to all youth in America, so that we could continue to build leaders of tomorrow, today. 

Cliff Akiyama
Board Member
National Board of Directors

Recent Ceremonies

Senator Wicker pictured with medalists from Mississippi after their ceremony in Washington, DC.
Congressman Miller (CA07) presented the Bronze Medal to Navin Eluthesen.

Advisor Helen Gannon pictured with medalists from the St. Louis Irish Arts program after the April 19, 2008 Misouri State Ceremony in Jefferson City.

Participant Spotlight
Tiffany Laine Holder will receive the Gold Medal in June at the Congressional Award Gold Medal Ceremony.  For Voluntary Public Service, Tiffany taught young people the benefits of making healthy choices through the 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Curriculum.  Tiffany also taught dance and choreography to youth groups, youth performances and to the Girl Scouts.
For her Personal Development, she improved her knowledge of geology and career opportunities by gaining knowledge of mineralogy, fieldwork in paleontology and paleo-environments.  Tiffany practiced six hours a week with dance and competed in competitions at UNLV and UCLA improving her cardiovascular system for Physical Fitness.  Tiffany’s Expedition took her to New Mexico’s Lincoln National Forest where she camped outdoors, explored wildlife, studied geological formations and participated in dinosaur digs.  By participating in the Congressional Award program Tiffany “learned how rewarding it is to help others” and gained a sense of self worth as well as confidence in her abilities.

Partnership Spotlight
The Congressional Award and the United States Air Force partnered to recognize the initiative, achievement and service of young enlisted airmen/airwomen and the children of career personnel. This year, two Air Force teens have earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal. The program is active at both domestic and international Air Force bases. It is particularly active at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. At these and other bases with active participation, the program is coordinated through the base Youth and Teen Centers. The Congressional Award is actively looking to expand this beneficial partnership. If you are, or know of, a Youth and Teen Center Coordinator who might be interested in bringing the Congressional Award to your base, please contact the national office at (202) 226-0130 or information@congressionalaward.org.

Congressional Spotlight
A strong advocate for community service and personal integrity, Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) has supported the Congressional Award throughout his time in office, encouraging students in his district to actively participate and personally attending the ceremonies held on Capitol Hill. His support for the nearly three-decade old program stems from his own commitment to public and community service, which includes involvement with local YMCA and SPCA organizations in South Jersey.

“Each time I present a student with his or her award, I am inspired by the pride and confidence in their eyes. Involvement within this program really opens their minds to the possibilities,” said Congressman LoBiondo. In addition to Congressional Award receptions, Congressman LoBiondo often visits with students of all ages in local schools in his district, stressing the importance of academics, physical fitness and community service. He always stresses that students must go out and make their dreams reality, rather than hoping someone will do it for them. “Without question, there is no program that encourages the personal growth and development of our students while fostering a lasting commitment to public involvement and service like the Congressional Award does,” concluded Congressman LoBiondo.

3rd Annual Congressional Award Charity Poker Tournament
The Third Annual Congressional Award Charity Poker Tournament will be Wednesday, July 23, 2008 from 6:30-9:30.  We are delighted to announce Five Time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, Phil Ivey, as the guest of honor for the Congressional Award Charity Poker Tournament.  Please contact Tournament Director Eliot Williamson for more information at 202-226-0130 or Williamson@congressionalaward.org .

Conressional Award Golf Classic
Thank you to everyone who registered to participate in our Annual Golf Classic on April 28th. As you may know, the weather did not cooperate; so we have rescheduled for Monday, July 28th. If you signed up to play, we will see you on the links. We still have slots available if you were unable to register for April 28th. Please contact Rebecca Aubry, Tournament Director, at aubry@congressionalaward.org if you have any questions.

Gold Intern Opportunity
Opportunities are available for past Congressional Award Gold Medalists to apply for internship positions at the Congressional Award National Office in Washington, DC. The intern will work with Program Managers to promote the Congressional Award to Members of Congress, youth organizations, schools, Congressional Award Advisors and state/local media. He/she will assist in program operations and events throughout the semester. The intern will be an innovative thinker and team player. An effective candidate will have excellent writing and interpersonal skills. Please submit a letter of interest with resume and writing sample to the National Office, attention: Kathleen Deschler.

Share Your Pictures and Experiences with Us!!!
If you have pictures of a ceremony or stories regarding the Congressional Award, please send them to us via email at information@congressionalaward.org.