Nick Cannon to help honor Congressional Award honorees

Members of Congress will join community and corporate leaders in honoring the 267 recipients of the Congressional Award Gold Medal at two ceremonies and a Recognition Dinner in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 2009. This annual event highlights Congress’ highest honor for youth and will recognize individuals that have dedicated hundreds of hours of service in their communities.

Actor and philanthropist Nick Cannon and Major League Baseball Executive Vice President Jimmie Lee Solomon will receive the Horizon Award at the Recognition Dinner for their dedication to serving America’s youth. The daytime ceremonies will be hosted by emcees Judy Woodruff and Linda Ellerbee, with keynote speeches by Ronald McDonald House Founder Jim Murray and Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman.

The focus of the day’s events, the 267 medalists, dedicated hundreds of hours to Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration. This year’s participants are from a variety of backgrounds and represent almost all fifty states. Youth are not given this honor, but earn it based on the guidelines in The Congressional Award Act.

With an emphasis on benefitting the community-at-large, Congressional Award guidelines require that all Gold Medalists dedicate 400 hours to voluntary service.  Medalists attending this event had the foresight and initiative to seek opportunities for service, finding a variety of un-met needs in their communities, ranging from environmental sustainability to mentoring youth to providing hands-on service in third world countries.

The Congressional Award, a public-private partnership, established by Congress in 1979 under Public Law 96-114, is a non-competitive program open to young people ages 14-23, regardless of mental or physical challenges, or socioeconomic status.  Throughout the year, Congressional Award Medalists are honored at local ceremonies and medal presentations by Members of Congress at the district and state levels. The Congressional Award Foundation teaches participants to set and achieve personally challenging goals that build character, and foster community service, personal development and citizenship.

CONTACT:
Lindsay Lofton
The Congressional Award Foundation
202-226-0130
Lofton@CongressionalAward.org

Source:  The Congressional Award Foundation