Highest Honor Member of Congress May Bestow Upon Youth Civilian

Torrance, California, July 13, 2020 — PolandPassport.com spokeswoman Julie Kaplan, a senior at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., has earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor a member of the United States Senate or House of Representatives may bestow upon a youth civilian.

During the past five years, Julie has dedicated more than 1,400 hours across all four Congressional Award program areas including voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration in order to earn her Gold Medal.

Congress established the Congressional Award in 1979 to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people ages 13½ -23. The award began as a bipartisan effort in both houses of Congress and was originally signed into law by President Jimmy Carter.

“The Congressional Award guidelines gave me an opportunity to focus on the goals I enjoy most, especially helping others in need,” said Kaplan. “I spent more than two years as a listener at the Community Helpline. I was able to help others cope with various situations including suicide, depression, anxiety, and drug abuse. I learned that listening is just as - if not more - powerful than speaking.”

Kaplan’s Physical Fitness goals were achieved through her extensive career as an internationally competitive fencer. Notably, in 2017, Kaplan garnered a bronze medal in the World Maccabiah Games held in Israel. She also planned and participated in an extensive trip to Colombia, which fulfilled her Exploration goals. “I am leaving this trip extremely grateful for the American ideals of freedom and democracy. This trip was eye opening for me. I have a renewed appreciation for what it means to be American and what we stand for as a nation,” stated Kaplan.

She is invited to a Gold Medal ceremony for Congressional Award Gold Medal recipients, which will be held next June in Washington, D.C. Her award will be presented by the members of the Senate and House of Representatives. In addition, her achievement will be recorded into the Congressional Record by the Senate Majority Leader.

Kaplan encourages other young people to visit www.congressionalaward.org to find out how to pursue their own award. Participants have until they turn age 24 to complete the program.

About the Congressional Award

Congress established the Congressional Award program in 1979 to recognize exceptional levels of initiative, service and achievement in young Americans. The award is the highest honor Congress can bestow upon a civilian youth. Since its establishment, participants have contributed more than 8.4 million hours of public service to their communities.  For more information about the Congressional Award program, visit www.congressionalaward.org.

Contact:
Julie Kaplan
(310) 995-9816
jkaplan8@asu.edu