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Congress Honors Bethel Park Teen with Gold Medal Award

6/19/13

Congress Honors Bethel Park Teen with Gold Medal Award
Valerie Poutous Recognized With Prestigious Honor For Community Service Work

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2013
Contact: Dain Pascocello, 202.225.2301

Washington, DC – Bethel Park High School Junior Valerie Poutous received the Congressional Award Gold Medal today during a special ceremony to recognize a select group of the nation’s most outstanding youth.

Valerie is an active volunteer for her church, St. Thomas More in Bethel Park, and has participated in three mission trips to the Appalachian region to build and repair homes for families. She also arranged an expedition trip to Zhanjiang, China, visiting the orphanage where she was born. She will receive a Gold Medal as well as recognition by the United States Congress.

More than 50,000 young men and women from across the country between the ages of 14 and 23 applied, but fewer than 300 were selected by the Congressional Award Foundation for the honor. Winners had to perform two years or at least 400 hours of community service, 200 hours of both personal development and physical fitness activities, and a four-night expedition or exploration.

Prior to the ceremony, Rep. Tim Murphy (PA-18) welcomed Valerie, family, and friends to his office in the Rayburn House Office Building. Rep. Murphy discussed Valerie’s volunteerism, the Gold Medal, as well as her plans to become a biomedical engineer.

“By committing to personal growth and working to make our community a better place to live, Valerie’s a role model to young men and women. She’s most deserving of the Congressional Award and I know she will continue to inspire others who also want to serve their country and community.”

Established in 1979 by an act of Congress, the program is meant to encourage the nation’s youth “to learn the value of service, personal development, fitness, and citizenship through character forming experiences that shape tomorrow’s leaders and our country’s future.” The award is nonpartisan and is not paid for at taxpayer expense.

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