Congressional Award

The Congressional Award is an award given by Congress to Americans aged 14 to 23. The United States Congress founded the program in 1979 to "recognize initiative, service and achievements of young people." The Congressional Award is nonpartisan, voluntary and non-competitive.

The Congressional Award is awarded to recognize 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, funded entirely by private-sector donations. 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 youths, the other being the Congressional Medal of Merit.

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