[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5374-S5375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE CONGRESSIONAL AWARD

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, in 1979, Congress created an 
award which is specifically designed for young people. This special 
program, the Congressional Award, recognizes young Americans who make 
commitments to community service and self-improvement. I would like to 
take a few moments of Senate business to discuss this program and the 
important role it plays in promoting volunteerism.
  The Congressional Award is a non-partisan, public-private partnership 
which teaches young people that they can make a difference in their 
communities. The program is noncompetitive. Participants set individual 
goals based on their own abilities. Once these goals are achieved, they 
can earn bronze, silver, or gold medals. I would emphasize that each 
Congressional Award is earned--not won. Any 14- to 23-year-old, 
regardless of their life circumstances or physical and mental 
abilities, can earn the award.
  Mr. President, this program truly promotes community service. Since 
the first award was presented in 1982, 1.5 million hours have been 
attributed to volunteerism. In the last 12 months alone, recipients of 
the Congressional Award throughout the country performed more than 
63,000 hours of community service. Some examples of the volunteer 
projects include assisting elderly shut-ins, distributing food for the 
needy, producing a handbook of volunteer opportunities at the United 
Way, and donating a narcotics K-9 to a sheriff's department.
  Recently, I have chartered the Congressional Award Program in my own 
State, along with the other members of the Pennsylvania delegation. I 
encourage each of my colleagues to promote this valuable program. The 
Congressional Award benefits everyone involved--the participants, their 
adult sponsors, and the communities at large. I would also note that 
while this program is a public-private partnership, it does not receive 
its funding

[[Page S5375]]

from the Government. It is funded entirely through the private sector.
  Not long ago, I had the honor of participating in the Volunteer 
Summit in Philadelphia, PA. The success of this event suggests that 
Americans are eager to help those in need. They simply need more 
information about how to do so.
  Mr. President, I am a strong advocate of volunteerism, and I 
sincerely believe that this program inspires a sense of civic 
responsibility in our young people. The Congressional Award is an 
effort Congress can be proud it initiated on behalf of our next 
generation. By working together, we can make this volunteer opportunity 
and learning experience available to all young Americans.

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