Message from the National Office
On behalf of the National Board of Directors, it is my honor and pleasure to congratulate the recipients of the 2007 Congressional Award Gold Medal. These outstanding 273 young Americans have challenged themselves and made lasting contributions to their communities for their initiative, service and achievement.

Through the Congressional Award, the United States Congress and the private sector serve as a public-private partnership in recognizing young Americans who set and achieve goals in volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition activities. Today we honor those who have given the most of themselves with The Congressional Award Gold Medal. We also wish to pay tribute to their parents, family members, and adults who serve as advisors and validators, all of whom work closely with these young people in helping them to succeed. We also would like to recognize that this program would not be possible without the generous support from the private sector. We thank all of our sponsors, especially AEGON USA, AHIP, Assurant Health, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, BET, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Foundation Coal Holdings, FMC, Freddie Mac, JP Morgan Chase and Viacom.

As we offer our congratulations to the 2007 Congressional Award Gold Medal recipients, the Board of Directors pledges to continue to bring this great program to all young Americans to challenge themselves and improve their communities. We are honored to serve the United States Congress so that they may continue this unique honor for the young men and women who are forging our tomorrows.

John M. Falk
Chairman
National Board of Directors

Recent Ceremonies

Congressman Todd Akin (MO02) recently held a ceremony honoring participants from across his district.
Anastasia Pedersen met with Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA05) to receive her Bronze Medal on April 13, 2007.
	In April, Christina Assuncao met with Congressman Chris Smith (NJ04) in his Washington, DC office to receive her Congressional Medal.

Participant Spotlight
Damara Viray of Keyport, NJ recently earned her Bronze Medal. One of her volunteer goals included improving the water quality in her community by reintroducing baby oysters in Shrewsbury River and Keyport Bay. She cleaned and measured oysters on a monthly basis as well as deposited mature oysters on the reef. She delivered her data to the bay keeper of New Jersey and New York. For her Personal Development, Damara earned five Cadette badges with the Girl Scouts. To keep fit, Damara improved her field hockey skills so that she could start for the varsity team. Finally, for her Expedition/Exploration, Damara planned and executed her first winter camping trip at Kittatiny Mountain Reservation. Damara feels through her participation in the Congressional Award she has "gained not only leadership and organization skills, but a sense of achievement that came with the completion of this project."

Advisor Spotlight
Cindy Berg, from Montana, has been involved with the Congressional Award for over eight years particularly through the United States Air Force. Cindy firmly believes that this Award makes a huge impact in any community. In her view, the Award instills in youth a sense that they can not only improve and impact their lives, but the lives of others as well. She routinely informs teens, parents, teachers, Airmen, and Commanders about the Award. She has done outreach at Commanders Calls, new Airmen arrival briefings, and at local schools. One of her most memorable experiences with the Award was attending the Congressional Award Gala in 2002. Cindy feels that the Congressional Award is important for our "youth because we so often hear of just the negative choices that teens make; this award rewards positive choices and renews our belief that our future generations are making strides for the better!"

Partnership Spotlight
Developed in the March of 2004, the Congressional Award and AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps partnered to further the mission of both programs. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and local community service. In partnership with nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies and other community organizations, members complete service projects throughout the country. AmeriCorps NCCC requires an intensive, 10-month commitment. Members serve in teams of 10 to 12, and are assigned to projects throughout the region served by their campus. The four program areas of the Congressional Award strongly compliment the requirements of the NCCC. Most recently, over 180 NCCC graduates from Charleston, SC earned their Congressional Award Medals.

Congressional Corner
Senator Johnny Isakson was recently appointed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to the Congressional Award Board of Directors. Before entering Congress, Senator Isakson was a member of the Georgia legislature for 17 years, and served as president of Northside Realty in Atlanta for 20 years. He was also the Chairman of the Georgia Board of Education. The Senator believes it is never too early to begin volunteering and improving one's community. In his view, individuals who become involved with their communities at an early age tend to remain involved in their communities as adults. It also gives youth the chance to meet people with different backgrounds but common goals with whom they can share interests in a healthy, productive way. With so many admirable local nonprofits and organizations, the Senator sees opportunity for every interest and passion within both large and small communities. Senator Isakson is "proud to support the Congressional Award because it encourages youth to be productive citizens and achieve personal goals no matter the student's grade point average, background, disabilities or other special needs."