President Barack Obama presents the 2010 Citizens Medal to Kimberly McGuiness of Cave Spring, Ga., Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Her letters, calls, and visits to state legislators helped the passage of Georgia's Deaf Child's Bill of Rights. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
McGuiness, who is an assistive technology specialist for Floyd County Schools, and 12 other citizens were awarded the prize, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Wednesday afternoon. The president met with the recipients individually before the ceremony, offering congratulations and words of encouragement.
“He shook my hand, looked me in the eyes, and said he really appreciated my service and hard work,” said McGuiness, whose letters, calls and visits to state legislators helped the passage of Georgia’s Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights.
Georgia School for the Deaf Director Lee Shiver nominated her for the award because of her work for the school, as well as deaf children everywhere. McGuiness’ daughter Julia is deaf and autistic, and their family moved to the area so the child could attend GSD.
McGuiness’ daughter Julia is deaf and autistic, and their family moved to the area so the child could attend GSD.
McGuiness said she was surprised by the nomination but eager to bring the award to Floyd County and the state of Georgia. Though she has not yet worked out plans to display the medal, she said the experience of receiving it is something entirely unique.
“Oh gosh. It went very well. It was wonderful,” said McGuiness following the ceremony in the East Room of the White House.
Tim Hensley, spokesman for Floyd County Schools, said everyone in the system was proud of McGuiness.
“Kimberly McGuiness works each day to help speech impaired children in Floyd County Schools to communicate with their teachers, but she is being recognized for her efforts outside of the classroom,” said Hensley. “Mrs. McGuiness is personally invested in the future of these children.”
The Presidential Citizens Medal was established by Executive Order in 1969 for the purpose of recognizing American citizens “who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country and their fellow citizens.”
Henry “Hank” Aaron, a longtime Atlanta Brave, is a past winner of the medal.
The following is a news release from the Floyd County Schools system:
Kimberly McGuiness works each day to help speech impaired children in Floyd County Schools to communicate with their teachers but she is being recognized for her efforts outside of the classroom. She is lauded in her nomination for the award as a tireless worker to improve the lives of deaf children. Mrs. McGuiness is personally invested in the future of these children as her child is a student at Georgia School for the Deaf in Cave Spring. Locally, McGuiness serves as chair of the GSD School Council and participates in numerous school programs, committees and activities. In the nomination she is also credited with convincing the Georgia Legislature to pass a law that enables high school students to earn foreign language credit for American Sign Language. Her letters, calls and visits to state legislators aided in the passage of Georgia’s Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights.
The Presidential Citizens Medal was established by Executive Order in 1969 for the purpose of recognizing American citizens “who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country and their fellow citizens”. McGuiness was nominated for the medal by Dr. Lee Shiver, director of GSD. Dr. Shiver and McGuiness’ family accompanied her to Washington for the ceremony.
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