President Barack Obama signs an Emergency Declaration
for the State of Arkansas in the Oval Office, and also
signed a declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
He also announced that the American public will be invited
to nominate candidates for the Citizens Medal, the nation’s
second highest civilian award.
                                   White House photo by Pete Souza


President Barack Obama signs an Emergency Declaration
for the State of Arkansas in the Oval Office, and also
signed a declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
He also announced that the American public will be invited
to nominate candidates for the Citizens Medal, the nation’s
second highest civilian award.
                                   White House photo by Pete Souza

WASHINGTON, DC —President Barack 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.

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. The nomination form is available at 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 by Jan. 28 at 11:59 pm EST.    

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.