A Guide to Major Congressional and
January 28, 2022
Presidential Awards
Barbara Salazar Torreon
This report is designed to help congressional offices obtain information about major awards
Senior Research Librarian
given by Congress and the President. It lists details about the establishment, criteria, selection

process, and presentation of each of the major presidential and congressional awards:
Congressional Award, Congressional Gold Medal, Medal of Honor, Presidential Citizens Medal,

and Presidential Medal of Freedom. Brief entries are provided for additional awards. Contact
information is provided as available for the organization responsible for making the award and brief information about an
award. References to CRS products on awards are also given.
Congressional Research Service

A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

Congressional Awards
Congressional Award
In 1979, the Congressional Award Act was enacted.1 The act created the Congressional Award
Program and the Congressional Award Board.2 The Congressional Award Program is designed to
promote initiative, achievement, and excellence among youths in the areas of public
service, personal development and physical and expedition fitness. Under the program
medals shall be awarded to young people within the United States, aged fourteen through
twenty-three (subject to such exceptions as the Board may prescribe), who have satisfied
the standards of achievement established by the Board.3
When participants fulfill the criteria, the Congressional Award Board issues medals,
struck under the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury,4 that “consist of gold-plate
over bronze, rhodium over bronze, or bronze.”5 Members of Congress often present the
award, when appropriate,6 and the board can provide scholarships to gold, silver, and
bronze medal recipients.7 Traditionally, a gold medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol
recognizes recipients each year.8 The Congressional Award Program was established in
1979 to promote initiative, achievement, and excellence among youths age 14 to 23.
Award recipients complete a self-designed program in four program areas: voluntary
service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.9 There is no
limit on the number of Congressional Awards given in a year. It is described as “non-
partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive.”10 The program is for youth between the ages of 14
and 24, “regardless of ability, circumstances, or socioeconomic status.”11 Program participants
can earn a Congressional Award Certificate (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) or Medal (Bronze, Silver,
and Gold).12 Senators and Representatives present the awards at local, city, or state ceremonies.

1 P.L. 94-114, 93 Stat. 851 (1979); 2 U.S.C. §§801-808.
2 The Congressional Award Act was reauthorized by P.L. 115-268 (132 Stat. 3762 (2018)) through October 1, 2023.
The Congressional Award Board consists of 25 members, appointed by the Speaker of the House, the Senate majority
leader, the House minority leader, and the Senate minority leader. 2 U.S.C. §803(a)(1). The Board guides award
activities through the appointment of a director by majority vote of the Board. In consultation with the board, the
director “(1) formulate[s] programs to carry out the policies of the Congressional Award Program; (2) establish[es]
such divisions within the Congressional Award Program as may be appropriate; and (3) employ[es] and provide[s] for
the compensation of such personnel as may be necessary to carry out the Congressional Award Program, subject to
such policies as the Board shall prescribe under its bylaws.” 2 U.S.C. §804(b).
3 2 U.S.C. §802(a).
4 2 U.S.C. §802(f).
5 2 U.S.C. §802(a).
6 2 U.S.C. §802(c).
7 2 U.S.C. §802(d).
8 Congressional Award, “Gold Medal Ceremony,” Annual Gold Medal Ceremony, at
https://www.congressionalaward.org/events/annual-gold-medal-ceremony.
9 Congressional Award, “Gain Inspiration for your goal,” Activities, at https://www.congressionalaward.org/activities.
10 Congressional Award, The Program, at https://www.congressionalaward.org/the-program.
11 Ibid.
12 Ibid.
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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

The foundation may be contacted at:
Washington, DC 20013(888) 80-AWARD; (202) 226-0130
E-mail: information@congressionalaward.org
Congressional Gold Medal
Congressional Gold Medals are awarded by acts of Congress to express public gratitude for
distinguished contributions, highlight the virtues of patriotism, and perpetuate the remembrance
of great events. First awarded by the Continental Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal is
considered “the nation’s highest civilian award and the most distinguished award” given by the
U.S. Congress. In the past, Congress has awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize a
lifetime contribution or a singular achievement. The U.S. Mint is statutorily authorized to design
and strike each Congressional Gold Medal, and to produce and sell duplicate bronze medals.13
An act of Congress, signed by the President, is required to award a Congressional Gold Medal.
Each gold medal has historically been authorized through stand-alone legislation. Unless
otherwise specified in law, a single gold medal is struck. Individual recipients receive the gold
medal. For groups, the statutory authorization often specifies where the gold medal is to be
housed after being awarded. In many cases, the Smithsonian Institution receives the medal.14
Additional information on Congressional Gold Medals, including a list of recipients and the
authorization process, is provided in CRS Report R45101, Congressional Gold Medals:
Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress.15
Medal of Honor
This award, the nation’s highest military honor, is presented by the President “in the name of
Congress,” and for that reason is sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.16
The Medal of Honor was established by Congress during the Civil War to recognize soldiers who
had distinguished themselves by their gallantry in action. It is the nation’s highest military honor,
awarded for acts of valor that are “above and beyond the call of duty.”17 Recommendations for
the Medal of Honor are generally made by the military commander or others on the scene at the
time of the act. These recommendations are reviewed by the Department of Defense (DOD),
which makes the final determination on military awards.18 In addition to the prestige associated

13 For example, the U.S. Mint was authorized to sell bronze duplicates of the Congressional Gold Medal for the
Tuskegee Airmen. Full size (3-inch) duplicates were sold for $160 and half-size (1.5 inches) are sold for $20. U.S.
Mint, “Tuskegee Airmen Bronze Medal 3 Inch,” at https://catalog.usmint.gov/tuskegee-airmen-bronze-medal-3-inch-
903.html ; and U.S. Mint, “Tuskegee Airmen Bronze Medal 1.5 Inch,” at https://catalog.usmint.gov/tuskegee-airmen-
bronze-medal-1-and-one-half-inch-904.html. For more information on duplicate medals, see CRS In Focus IF10934,
Duplicate Congressional Gold Medals: Frequently Asked Questions, by Jacob R. Straus.
14 For example, the Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal is part of the National Museum of African American
History and Culture’s collections and is on loan to the National Air and Space Museum. See Smithsonian Institution,
“Congressional Gold Medal, Tuskegee Airmen,” at https://www.si.edu/object/congressional-gold-medal-tuskegee-
airmen:nasm_I20071282001#:~:text=The%20Congressional%20Gold%20Medal%20is,interest%20of%20the%20Unite
d%20States.
15 For additional guidance for congressional offices, contact the author Jacob Straus who contributed information to this
section.
16 Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS), “The Medal Overview” section at https://www.cmohs.org/medal.
17 10 U.S.C. §9271. Medal of Honor: Award.
18 See DOD Manual 1348.33, Volume 1, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: Medal of Honor, at
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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

with the Medal of Honor, recipients receive additional courtesies and benefits, including a
monthly pension of $1,489.73 and access to certain military benefits.19
A detailed history, current procedures for award of the Medal, and a list of privileges afforded to
recipients are provided in CRS Report 95-519, Medal of Honor: History and Issues.
Presidential Awards
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is considered the highest civilian award of the United States
government. President Truman first awarded the Medal of Freedom to reward war-connected acts
or services performed during World War II. It was later re-established by President Kennedy in
Executive Order 11085 of February 22, 1963, to recognize persons who have made especially
meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States; to world peace;
or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. There are two degrees of the Medal,
the higher being the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction.
Honorees are selected solely by the President, either acting on his own initiative or based on
recommendations made to him. As such, recipients tend to reflect the personal and political
interests of the President. The accomplishments of past recipients have been in wide-ranging
fields, including public service, journalism, business, sports, and entertainment. The award is
presented by the President, generally at a White House ceremony, and may be awarded
posthumously. Lists of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients are available online and in
several books, such as the annual Time Almanac and The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Presidential Citizens Medal
In Executive Order 11494 of November 13, 1969, President Nixon established the Presidential
Citizens Medal to recognize U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for
their country or fellow citizens. It is generally considered the second highest civilian award of our
government. The Presidential Citizens Medal is bestowed at the sole discretion of the President
and is usually presented by the President. Past recipients were recognized for their contributions
in a variety of areas, including human rights, the civil rights movement, national security, space
exploration, religion, government service, and the environment. The Medal may be awarded
posthumously. To make a nomination for either the Presidential Medal of Freedom or the
Presidential Citizens Medal, a letter detailing the accomplishments of the nominee may be sent to
the following:
Executive Office of the President
The White House
ATTN: Executive Clerk’s Office
Washington, DC 20502
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_Vol1.PDF.
19 See 38 CFR §3.802 Medal of Honor for information on benefits; and the 2022 Medal of Honor pension rate as of
December 21, 2021, at https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/special-benefit-allowance-rates/.
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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

Additional Awards and Medals
Other presidential awards include the following:
 Enrico Fermi Award recognizing contributions in the field of nuclear energy
(Department of Energy) at https://science.osti.gov/fermi;
 “E” and “E Star” Awards recognizing contributions to export expansion efforts
(Department of Commerce) at https://www.commerce.gov/tags/e-awards;
 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recognizing organizations for their
achievements in quality and business performance (National Institute of
Standards and Technology) at https://www.nist.gov/baldrige;
 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
PAEMST (National Science Foundation) at https://www.paemst.org/;
 Presidential Rank Award and President’s Award for Distinguished Federal
Civilian Service (Office of Personnel Management) at
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/performance-
management/performance-management-cycle/rewarding/the-presidents-award-
for-distinguished-federal-civilian-service/; and
 President’s Environmental Youth Award (Environmental Protection Agency) at
https://www.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award.
In addition, special awards may be established to grant presidential recognition to persons or
organizations for whom other categories of awards are not appropriate. Numerous other awards
are authorized and may be presented by the President. See selected medals summarized below.
Table 1. Selected Medals
Award or Medal
Contact Information
Purpose
Congressional Space
Administrator of the National Aeronautics
Awarded to astronauts “whose
Medal of Honor
and Space Administration (NASA)
particular efforts and meritorious
(P.L. 91-76)
https://history.nasa.gov/spacemedal.htm
contributions to the welfare of the
nation and mankind have been
51 U.S.C. §30901
Email: hq-histinfo@nasa.gov
exceptional.” Recommendations are
made by the administrator of NASA
to the President, who may award
and present the award in the name
of Congress.
National Medal of Science National Medal of Science
Awarded to individuals whose
(Public Law 86-209)
https://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/medal.jsp
accumulated work has had a
42 U.S.C. §1881
particularly significant impact on the
Nominations may be submitted through an
present state of the physical,
online portal at:
biological, mathematical, engineering,
https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards/
or social and behavioral sciences or
Email: nms@nsf.gov
that is deemed likely to strongly
influence the future development of
scientific thought.
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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

National Medal of
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Awarded to individuals, teams, or
Technology
(NMTI)
companies for accomplishments in
(P.L. 96-480)
https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-
the innovation, development,
resources/ip-programs-and-awards/national-
commercialization, and management
medal-technology-and-innovation-nmti
of technology, as evidenced by the
Email: nmti@uspto.gov
establishment of new or significantly
improved products, processes, or
services.
National Security Medal
Executive Secretary of the National Security
Recognizes exceptionally
(Executive Order 10431)
Council
meritorious service performed in a
http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc
position of high responsibility or an
act of valor requiring personal
courage of a high degree and
complete disregard of personal
safety. Any individual may
recommend a potential recipient as a
candidate for the award to the
Executive Secretary of the National
Security Council.
Public Safety Officer
U.S. Department of Justice
Awarded to public safety officers
Medal of Valor Act of
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/medalofvalor
judged to have shown extraordinary
2001
valor above and beyond the call of
(P.L. 107-12)
duty in the exercise of their official
duties. Nominations must be

submitted through the online Medal
of Valor Nomination System.
Sources: Official websites of selected federal agencies and Congress.gov.

Author Information

Barbara Salazar Torreon

Senior Research Librarian

Disclaimer
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