[Missouri-l] FW: [leadership] FW: Citizens Medal Public Nomination Process

Thu Jan 21 15:57:30 CST 2010

-----Original Message-----
From: leadership-bounces at acb.org [mailto:leadership-bounces at acb.org] On
Behalf Of Melanie Brunson
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 1:33 PM
To: acb-l at acb.org; leadership at acb.org
Subject: [leadership] FW: Citizens Medal Public Nomination Process

Hello all,

Please read below for some information about an opportunity you have, for a
very short time, to nominate someone for one of our country's distinguished
service awards.  The nomination process will only be open for a week, but
the White House is specifically seeking nominations of people with
disabilities.  Further details are below my signature.

Melanie Brunson

-----Original Message-----
From: Dale, Kareem A. [mailto:Kareem_A._Dale at who.eop.gov]
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 1:15 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Citizens Medal Public Nomination Process

Today marks the launch of the Citizen's Medal public nomination process.
Please see the First Lady's below email, and the press announcement which
follows, for a description of the award, and the steps for nominating
someone "who has inspired you."  We encourage you to get the word out about
this and submit nominees with disabilities.  

Per the below, the process will only likely be open for a week.  Please read
the criteria for nominees very carefully.

Thank You!

The White House, Washington

	Good morning,

For over 40 years, the President of the United States has awarded the
Citizens Medal -- the second highest civilian honor in our nation -- to
Americans who have "performed exemplary deeds of service for their country
or their fellow citizens."

Now for the 2010 Citizen's Medal, the White House is opening up the process
to include an exciting source of nominations: you.  President Obama is
inviting the American public to nominate candidates he should consider for
the Presidential Citizens Medal -- truly making this an honor of, by, and
for the American people.

Who has inspired you?  Whose selfless dedication to service has touched your
life or the lives of others?

Watch the President explain the program in this web video and then nominate
an unsung hero from your community:

Learn More <http://www.whitehouse.gov/citizensmedal/?e=26&ref=image>  

Past winners of this prestigious honor have included respected public
figures like Colin Powell, Bob Dole and Rosa Parks, as well as everyday
heroes like Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who left her entire life savings
to establish a scholarship for students in need. As you can tell, the bar is
set pretty high -- only a handful of nominees will be chosen, so be sure to
read the criteria closely and make the best case you can for your nominee.

This year, the President will be looking for several qualities in the
special few he honors: people who have demonstrated a commitment to service
in their own community or in communities farther from home; who have helped
their country or their fellow citizens through one or more extraordinary
acts; whose service relates to a long-term or persistent problem; or whose
service has had a sustained impact on others' lives and provided inspiration
for others to serve. While many Americans work every day to serve others,
this year's Citizens Medal will specifically honor those who have shown
exemplary service to help others outside of their normal jobs.

Take a moment to nominate that everyday hero for the Presidential Citizens
Medal and help honor his or her unwavering commitment to service.
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/citizensmedal/?e=26&ref=text> 

Nominations will be reviewed by White House staff. The most compelling of
these nominations will be sent to the President for his final decision.
Then late this spring, Citizens Medal recipients will be invited to receive
their awards in a ceremony at the White House.

Thank you,

Michelle

First Lady Michelle Obama
The White House

P.S. Right now we are only planning to keep the nominations process open for
one week. So don't miss your chance to recognize someone amazing from your
community.
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/citizensmedal/?e=26&ref=text2> 

Visit WhiteHouse.gov <http://www.whitehouse.gov/?e=26&ref=whi> 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/email/staff/email4_footer.jpg

The White House * 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW * Washington, DC 20500 *
202-456-1111 

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2010

PRESIDENT OBAMA LAUNCHES CITIZENS MEDAL PUBLIC NOMINATION PROCESS

Public Invited to Nominate Candidates for Nation's Second Highest Civilian
Honor

WASHINGTON, DC--In a video message released today, President Obama announced
that the American public will be invited to nominate candidates for the
Citizens Medal, the nation's second highest civilian award.  For over 40
years, the Presidential Citizens Medal has recognized Americans who have
"performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow
citizens." Past recipients have included some of America's most respected
public figures including Colin Powell, Bob Dole and Muhammad Ali but also
everyday heroes like Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who left her entire life
savings to establish a scholarship fund for students in need. The
President's video message can be viewed HERE
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/citizens-medal> . 

By asking the public to submit nominees, President Obama hopes to recognize
exemplary citizens and local heroes who have significantly impacted their
communities but who may not have garnered national attention.  

"No matter who they are or where they come from, recipients of the Citizens
Medal are united by an unwavering desire to serve," said President Obama.
"And that's why this year, we are asking you to help nominate candidates for
this extraordinary honor who exemplify the kind of selfless dedication that
inspires us all to greater heights."

Public nominations will be reviewed by White House staff with the recipients
selected by the President.  Additional awardees may be
selected outside of the public nomination process.   The President will
award the Citizens Medal in a ceremony at the White House in late spring.  

Nominees must be citizens of the United States and fulfill specific criteria
<http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/citizensmedal/criteria> . The nomination form is
available at www.WhiteHouse.gov/citizensmedal
<http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/citizensmedal> .   In order for nominations
to be considered, all applications must be completed in full and submitted
via www.WhiteHouse.gov/citizensmedal
<http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/citizensmedal>  by Thursday, January 28, 2010
at 11:59 pm EST.     

BACKGROUND ON THE CITIZENS MEDAL:

The Citizens Medal recognizes "citizens of the United States of America who
have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow
citizens."  Executive Order 11494 (Nov. 13, 1969).  It is generally
recognized as the second highest civilian award of the United States
government.  

The 2010 Citizens Medal will recognize citizens who have performed exemplary
deeds of service outside of their regular jobs.  Specifically, nominees must
be individuals who fulfill the following criteria:  

Who have a demonstrated commitment to service in their own community or in
communities farther from home.  Someone who has engaged in activities that
have had an impact in their local community, on a community or communities
elsewhere in the United States or on fellow citizens living or stationed
around the world. 

Who have helped their country or their fellow citizens through one or more
extraordinary acts.  Individuals who have demonstrated notable skill and
grace, selflessly placed themselves in harm's way, taken unusual risks or
steps to protect others, made extraordinary efforts to further a national
goal, or otherwise conducted themselves admirably
when faced with unusually challenging circumstances.   

Whose service relates to a long-term or persistent problem.  Individuals who
have made efforts to combat stubbornly persistent problems that impact
entire communities, for example those who have taken innovative steps to
address hunger, homelessness, the dropout crisis, lack of access to health
care, and other issues that plague too many Americans.

Whose service has had a sustained impact on others' lives and provided
inspiration for others to serve.   The ideal nominee for a Citizens
Medal is a person whose work has had a meaningful and lasting impact on the
lives of others. 

TEXT OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S VIDEO:

"For 40 years, the Presidential Citizens Medal has recognized Americans who
have "performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow
citizens." This Medal is among the highest honors a President can bestow,
and it stands as a token of gratitude to those who represent what is best
about this Nation.

Past recipients of this award have included some of America's most respected
public figures - from Muhammad Ali to Colin Powell; Claiborne Pell to Bob
Dole. But they have also included everyday heroes known only to the people
whose lives they changed - heroes like Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who
left an astounding $150,000 - her entire life savings - to the University of
Southern Mississippi so they could establish a scholarship fund for students
in need.

But no matter who they are or where they come from, recipients of the
Citizens Medal are united by an unwavering desire to serve. And that's why
this year, we are asking you to help nominate candidates for this
extraordinary honor.

We want you to tell us about someone who has touched the lives of others;
someone who may not get a lot of attention, but who exemplifies the kind of
selfless dedication that inspires us all to greater heights.
Their contribution can be a single act of charity or a life devoted to
service - whatever they've done to help make this world a better place.

Just go to whitehouse.gov and tell us who you feel deserves this award.
Then later this year, we will recognize a special few who remind us what
being a good citizen is all about. Thank you." 

Kareem Dale
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Phone: 202.456.4767
kdale at who.eop.gov

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