Congressman Bill Owens and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation are now accepting nominations for Citizen Service Before Self Honors.

The award recognizes citizen heroes who have a willingness to sacrifice for others whether through a single act of extraordinary heroism at risk to one’s own life or through a prolonged series of selfless acts. Nominations can be submitted online at www.CitizenServiceBeforeSelfHonors.org

“In New York, we see selfless acts of heroism that go unnoticed every day,” said Owens. “The Citizen Service Before Self Honor from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation aims to change that by recognizing uncommon sacrifice in our area. I urge all New Yorkers to take a moment to think of someone deserving of this recognition and submit their name before the deadline.”

The Citizen Service Before Self Honors award is unique because it is presented to unsung heroes by America’s Medal of Honor recipients. A panel will consider all nominations and select 20 national finalists. From those finalists, a group of Medal of Honor recipients will select three individuals to receive Citizen Service Before Self Honors at a ceremony on Friday, March 23rd at Arlington Cemetery near the Tomb of the Unknowns. March 23rd is National Medal of Honor Day.

Finalists for the honor will be announced Monday, February 27, 2012. The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation will provide travel and lodging expenses for those chosen for the award and one guest.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate the Medal of Honor’s legacy of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. The Foundation supports the objectives, activities and programs of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and raises funds for initiatives such as Above & Beyond Citizen Honors, that promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents. For more information, visit www.cmohfoundation.org