June 24, 2002 – A St. Croix young woman will receive the Congressional Award Gold Medal at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
Zipporah-Lakshmi Inniss of Frederiksted is among 108 young people nationwide to receive the award this year, Delegate Donna M. Christensen announced Monday.
Recipients are chosen for their volunteer service and personal achievement record.
Monique Clendinen, Christensen's spokeswoman, said Inniss is a student at the University of Rochester but had no further information about the honoree except that she began her qualification in 1998. Inniss could not be reached for comment at her St. Croix home.
In a release, Christensen said congressional leaders will preside at the awards ceremony, with Bob Schieffer of the CBS program "Face the Nation" as master of ceremonies. Honorees and their parents are taking part in four days of activities, including tours and a gala, that got under way on Sunday in the nation's capital.
To be eligible for a Congressional Award, youths must complete at least 400 hours of volunteer public service, 200 hours of personal development activities, 200 hours of physical fitness activities, and four consecutive days and nights on an exploration or expedition activity.
Inniss volunteered at St. Croix's Queen Louise Home for Children and various shelters around the island. She acquired her personal development hours through leadership skills training with the Civil Air Patrol, where she participated in search and rescue activities, tests and survival camps. Her physical activity hours came through running, soccer and tennis. She visited Montserrat following the volcano eruption to log expedition hours.
Christensen said the award is one of the highest honors bestowed on young people by Congress. It is administered through the Congressional Award Foundation and was started in 1979 to recognize young people's initiative, achievement and service.
Youths register to be a part of the program and keep records of their activities and hours of participation. Anyone ages 14 to 23 can register to begin gathering credits for the award. For details, visit the Congressional Award web site or call (202) 226-0130.

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