Congressional Award

The Congressional Award is an award for young Americans, established by the United States Congress in 1979 to "recognize initiative, service and achievement in young people." It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive program open to all 14 to 23-year-olds.

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 realized by the passage of Public Law 96-114 The Congressional Award Act. The bill was proposed under the sponsorship of Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming and Congressman James J. Howard of New Jersey.

The award is issued by the Congressional Award Foundation (CAF) which has been unanimously re-authorized by every Congress and president since Jimmy Carter and, most recently, on July 7, 2010 by President Barack Obama. The CAF is a public-private partnership, officially classified as a 501(c) non-profit organization, funded entirely by private sector donations. Its existence as a public-private partnership and classification as a non-profit make it Congress’ only charity.

As of September 2011, according to the CAF, more than 50,000 youth had registered as participants.

The Congressional Award is Congress’ first and only award specifically for youth. The only other medals awarded by Congress are the Medal of Honor and the Congressional Gold Medal; and those two medals are not to be confused with the Congressional Award. Also not to be confused with the Congressional Award are those awards affiliated with the International Award Association, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which despite their similarities and shared history, are no longer affiliated with the Congressional Award.