NetCompass Comments

October 11, 1999

First Joint Recognition Ceremony
Of The Boy Scouts Of America
And The Congressional Award

This article and photos
courtesy of Becky Sheetz,
Communications Specialist
with the Congressional Award

Charles Taylor (C.T.) Hoskins and his
Bronze Congressional Award Medal

The Congressional Award's first joint recognition ceremony with the Boy Scouts of America took place on Sunday, September 12, 1999 at First Baptist Church in Kernersville, NC, when Congressman Richard Burr presented Charles Taylor (C.T.) Hoskins, 16 with the the Bronze Congressional Award Medal for the good work he has done for the betterment of his community and for the goals he has set for his own personal development. C.T. has performed more than 100 hours of service to his community.

C.T.’s work exemplifies the importance of service to others, initiative and achievement: the cornerstones of the Congressional Award, the United States Congress’s recognition to young people. The Congressional Award is open to all young people ages 14-23 in America. To earn the Award, young people must set and achieve goals in the four program areas: volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration.

To fulfill the voluntary public service component, C.T., an active Boy Scout, served the Old Hickory Council of Boy Scouts of America and renovated the recreational property at First Baptist Church of Kernersville. He enhanced his knowledge of water safety and lifesaving skills for personal development, receiving his Red Cross lifeguard certification. He is currently employed as a lifeguard. C.T. studied martial arts and self defense for physical fitness and organized and executed an overnight backpacking camping trip.

He said of his experiences in the Congressional Award program, "The activities have left me with a good self image. I look forward to more volunteering." C.T. is an honor roll student at East Forlsy High School. He is the son of Robert and Judy Hoskins. His advisor was Robert Stern.

The Congressional Award is non-competitive. Recipients do not win the Award; they earn it. Bronze, Silver and Gold medals are presented to all young people who meet the requirements, regardless of physical, mental or socioeconomic circumstances. They must set challenging goals for the betterment of themselves and their communities. The only other medal awarded by the United States Congress is the Medal of Honor.

The Congressional Award program is a nonpartisan partnership between Congress and the private sector. Appointed by the Joint Leadership of Congress, a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of private sector individuals and members of Congress implements the program on the national level.

The Congressional Award was established in 1979 by Public Law 96-114, The Congressional Award Act. More than 6,500 Congressional Awards have been earned, representing well over 1.5 million volunteer hours performed in community service across America. A public-private partnership, the Congressional Award Foundation is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that receives no federal dollars. To register to earn the Congressional Award, call 1-888-80-AWARD, or visit the Congressional Award web site.

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Editor's Note: For more information, photos, and to read about the five previous 1999 Boy Scout recipients of this award, visit SCOUTER's Congressional Award NetCompass Point.