[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11486-S11487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRESSIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I am very pleased to have this opportunity 
to acknowledge one of our great success stories--the Congressional 
Awards--on the occasion of their 30th anniversary. This is a great 
milestone in the history of a program that has served to inspire and 
encourage countless young people across the country since it was first 
signed into law in 1979.
  Thirty years ago, Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming and Congressman 
James Howard of New Jersey joined forces to establish and promote the 
Congressional Awards and provide this great opportunity to young people 
all across the Nation. Today this program is achieving results 
throughout the United States far beyond what anyone could have ever 
expected. One by one, students are rolling up their sleeves and getting 
to work, establishing personal goals as well as goals for community 
service. Their dedication has made it possible for them to make a great 
difference in the world right where it should always start--in their 
own backyard.
  The Congressional Awards program has deep Wyoming roots because 
Malcolm Wallop helped to provide the leadership that led to its 
creation. It has deep roots in Wyoming because it has inspired our 
young people to a truly remarkable degree. The popularity of this 
program extends from one corner of my home State to the other and it 
continues to spark the imagination and encourage the enthusiastic 
participation of another group of participants every year.
  Because of the great work this program makes possible, I try to 
attend as many award ceremonies as I possibly

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can. I enjoy having the opportunity to recognize the achievements of 
those who have earned these awards almost as much as the award winners 
enjoy receiving the recognition of the Congress for their efforts. 
Every time I take part in one of these special ceremonies, I can see 
the excitement and sense of satisfaction that the award represents to 
each recipient because they have earned it by accomplishing what they 
set out to do.
  The Congressional Awards are open and available to young people from 
about age 14 to 23. They honor those who have done something to improve 
themselves by expanding their horizons as to what they believe is 
possible for them to achieve. Working with adult mentors, they dedicate 
themselves to achieving a set of goals in four areas--public service, 
personal development, physical fitness, and the exploration of the 
world around them. Because of their enthusiasm, it is no surprise that 
they have been able to achieve such great results in their lives.
  There are three levels of awards offered by the program--Bronze, 
Silver and Gold. The Gold Award is the most difficult of the three to 
earn because it requires the most in terms of both time and effort.
  Over the years, the number of Wyoming Congressional Award winners at 
each level has been impressive. However, because of the good example 
Malcolm Wallop worked so hard to provide, we have had a remarkable 
number of Gold Medal award winners in my State. That is a remarkable 
achievement for a State with a comparatively small population. It 
underscores the determination of Wyoming's young people to always 
finish what they set out to do.
  That is why our award winners have been getting noticed and the word 
has been getting around about how much it means to each award winner to 
have earned such a special prize. That has inspired others to try to do 
the same and it has kept the line of program participants going strong.
  Malcolm Wallop understood the importance of that message and the need 
for our young people to hear it--and hear it clearly. Thanks to him and 
his efforts, kids in Wyoming and throughout the nation understand that 
there is something better for them to do than to complain about what's 
wrong with the world. They now know that if there is a problem in the 
community or down the street you can do something about it. It's more 
than positive thinking; it's a call to action. It's a lesson learned 
that will then encourage our young people to apply the same 
determination that helped them to earn their Congressional Award to the 
other goals they have set for themselves so they can achieve the same 
kind of success in every area of their lives.
  Although Malcolm accomplished a great deal during his three terms of 
service in the United States Senate, I have always believed the 
Congressional Awards had to be one of his favorite achievements, 
something special that will continue to last as part of his Senate 
legacy that will serve to inspire present and future generations to 
continue to work to make great changes in the world around them.
  That will mean, in the years to come, when we look to the young 
people of Wyoming, the West and the United States to take their place 
as our leaders on the local, State and national level, thanks in part 
to the experience of the Congressional Awards program, they will be 
ready.

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