Hoyer Receives Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award
Washington, DC – On Tuesday night, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America annual Youth of the Year Gala, the organization honored Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) with its Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership in and contributions to education and youth development, particularly benefitting children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Named for former President Herbert Hoover, a longtime Chairman of the organization that later became Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the award has been bestowed in the past upon, among others, former President Jimmy Carter, General Colin Powell, former Rep. Jack Kemp, and former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.
“I am deeply honored to accept this award,” Whip Hoyer said. “Boys & Girls Clubs of America have benefitted millions of young people and helped them grow up to make positive contributions to their communities and their country. My own experiences as a youth participating in my local club taught me important lessons about self-confidence, hard work, and giving back. I’ve been proud to serve as an advocate in Congress for the organization and its goals, striving to ensure that every child in America is encouraged to believe in himself or herself and has every chance to reach for opportunities.”
"We’re incredibly proud to honor Minority Whip Steny Hoyer with our Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award,” said Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “For the past thirty years, he has advocated for Boys & Girls Clubs, making an impactful difference in the lives of millions of kids and teens that attend our Clubs each year.”
A Congressionally chartered organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of America operates a network of 4,300 clubs nationwide that engage nearly 4 million young people each year, many from low-income households. Club programs teach positive lessons about character, leadership, healthy life skills, the arts, and career development. Whip Hoyer participates each September in the organization’s annual Youth of the Year Gala in Washington, joining in honoring outstanding Club teenagers engaged in community service from across the country.
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