Each year President Obama honors a handful of extraordinary Americans with the Citizens Medal, one of our nation’s highest civilian honors. The Citizens Medal recognizes Americans for exemplary deeds of service outside of their regular jobs — people who feed the needy, who take care of our veterans, or who support our children.
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized by President Obama?
Photo Gallery: President Obama’s Middle East Trip
Check out some behind the scenes images from the first foreign trip of President Obama’s second term, a visit to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan.
Today’s Schedule
All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
10:00 AM: The President and the Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing.
10:45 AM: The President meets with senior advisors.
11:40 AM: The President delivers remarks on common-sense measures to protect children from gun violence.
12:30 PM: Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest.
2:10 PM: welcomes President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neves of Cape Verde to the White House.
3:45 PM: The President and the Vice President meet with Secretary of State Kerry.
4:15 PM: The President and the Vice President meet with Treasury Secretary Lew.
Each year President Obama honors a handful of extraordinary Americans with the Citizens Medal, one of our nation’s highest civilian honors. The Citizens Medal recognizes Americans for exemplary deeds of service outside of their regular jobs — people who feed the needy, who take care of our veterans, or who support our children.
Is there someone in your life who deserves to be recognized by President Obama?
There are 9 days left before we close nominations on the 2013 Citizens Medal. Complete this easy nomination process before the public submission period closes:
Last year, people like you nominated over six thousand Americans from across the country and staff at the White House reviewed every single submission. Here are just a few examples:
Mary Jo Copeland has offered a safety net for Minneapolis families since 1985 — offering food, clothing, shelter, and medical assistance to the needy.
Adam Burke, an Iraq combat veteran, runs “Veterans Farm,” a 19-acre, handicap-accessible farm that helps returning veterans.
Janice Jackson founded a Baltimore nonprofit to serve women with varying degrees of disabilities.
Citizenship is fundamental to who we are as Americans. That’s why, at the last award ceremony, President Obama stressed the role it plays:
“We’re home to 315 million people who come from every background, who worship every faith, who hold every single point of view,” he said. “But what binds us together, what unites us is a single sacred word: citizen.”
There are thousands of people across the country making a difference, but we need your help to find them. Nominate a hero in your community today:
President Obama Presents the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medals
Published on Feb 15, 2013
The President recognizes the 13 recipients of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal. A tradition dating back more 40 years and established by President Nixon, the award is one of the highest honors a civilian can receive. February 15, 2013
To nominate someone for the 2013 Citizens Medal, please review the criteria for this year’s medal and fully answer questions to the right. Additional awardees may be selected outside of the public nomination process.
In order for an individual to be considered for the Medal:
Nominees must be citizens of the United States, as required by the 1969 Executive Order.
The nominee’s service must have been performed outside of their regular job.
All questions on this form must be fully answered.
Nominations must be received by Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The 2013 Citizens Medal will recognize “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 our Government.
The 2013 Citizens Medal will recognize U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service outside of their regular jobs, including individuals:
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.
The Presidential Citizens Medal Criteria
Full Criteria for Nomination
The 2013 Citizens Medal will recognize “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 our Government.
The 2013 Citizens Medal will recognize U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service outside of their regular jobs, including individuals:
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.
2013 Citizen’s Medal Question & Answer
Can I nominate someone who is no longer living for the Citizens Medal?
Yes, according to 1969 Executive Order 11494, the Citizen’s Medal may be awarded posthumously.
Does the nominee need to be a US citizen?
Yes, the terms of the Executive Order provide that the medal must be awarded to a citizen of the United States.
May a person be considered for the medal if their act of service is part of their regular job?
No, the 2013 Citizens Medal criteria explicitly state that service must be performed outside of their regular job.
May a former President be considered to receive the Medal?
Yes, the Executive Order provides that the medal may be bestowed by the President in his sole discretion on any citizen of the United States.
Can more than one person be considered in a single nomination?
Yes, the medal is awarded at the President’s discretion. For example, President Bush presented Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, co-founders of the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2008.
Can an organization be considered for the Medal?
No, according to the Executive Order, the medal must be awarded to a citizen or citizens. However the leaders of a group may receive the medal, as in 1982 when the medal was awarded to the Matthews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club founders.
Can a person who nominated himself or herself be considered to receive the Medal?
Yes, the Executive Order does not limit who may nominate someone so long as the candidate is a United States citizen.
This week, the President delivered the first State of the Union address of his second term, and then brought his proposals to a factory in North Carolina and a school in Georgia, presided over a Medal of Honor ceremony, honored the outgoing Secretary of Defense, and hungout on Google Plus.
The President met with some of his speechwriters in the Oval Office for a working session on the State of the Union address.
The 2012-2013 White House Fellows had a Q&A session with the President.
Team Rubicon visited the Oval Office.
The President paid tribute to outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta at a ceremony at Fort Myer.
Monday, February 11th
The President gave the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha for his heroic actions in Afghanistan.
West Wing Week checked in on some of the speechwriters for an update on the address.
Tuesday, February 12th
When the President addressed the nation from the US Capitol for the first State of the Union of his second term, the White House provided an enhanced version of the speech that offered charts, facts and other supporting information as the President spoke.
Immediately following the speech, the White House streamed a virtual, live Q&A. During this special “Open for Questions” event, a panel of senior advisors answered questions about the President’s address submitted by citizens via Twitter, Google+ and Facebook, as well as from the live audience.
Wednesday, February 13th
On Wednesday, the President traveled to Arden, North Carolina to the factory floor of the Linamar Corporation, where he heard first-hand about Linamar’s collaboration with the nearby community college to train workers for good manufacturing jobs right here in America.
Thursday, February 14th
The President traveled to Decatur, Georgia, to the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, where he visited classrooms and spoke on his plan, unveiled in the State of the Union Address, to ensure high-quality preschool for every child.
The President hosted a Google Plus hangout where they discussed his proposals from the State of the Union, among other topics.
President Obama Presents the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medals
Published on Feb 15, 2013
The President recognizes the 13 recipients of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal. A tradition dating back more 40 years and established by President Nixon, the award is one of the highest honors a civilian can receive. February 15, 2013.
President Obama Participates in a Fireside Hangout on Google+
Published on Feb 14, 2013
President Obama answers questions during a virtual interview with Google+ and Americans from around the country to discuss his State of the Union Address. February 14, 2013.
Open For Questions: The State of the Union and Immigration Reform
The White House
President Barack Obama participates in a “Fireside Hangout” on Google+ with Americans from around the country to discuss his State of the Union Address, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. February 14, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks on early education and his plan to ensure high-quality preschool for every child, at the Decatur Community Recreation Center in Decatur, Ga., Feb. 14, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Jueseppi B.
