Outstanding American by Choice facts for kids
The Outstanding American by Choice award is a special honor given to people who were born in other countries but became citizens of the United States. It celebrates their amazing achievements. The award is given by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is part of the US Department of Homeland Security.
This award was created in January 2006 by Emilio T. Gonzalez, who was the director of USCIS at the time. By 2018, about 130 people had received this important award. It recognizes new American citizens who have done extraordinary things in their fields.
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Who Receives This Award?
The "Outstanding American by Choice" award honors people from many different backgrounds and professions. These individuals have made big contributions to American society. They come from all over the world and work in various fields.
Awardees from 2006
In 2006, the first group of awardees included people like:
- Carlos M. Gutierrez, who was the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. He was born in Cuba.
- Tom Lantos, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, born in Hungary.
- Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, another member of the U.S. House of Representatives, also born in Cuba.
- Eduardo J. Padrón, the President of Miami Dade College, born in Cuba.
- Many others who were leaders in community work, healthcare, and government.
Awardees from 2007
The 2007 awardees included well-known figures and military members:
- Franklin Chang Diaz, an astronaut born in Costa Rica.
- Gloria Estefan, a famous singer-songwriter born in Mexico. Her husband, Emilio Estefan, a musician and producer, also received the award.
- Indra Nooyi, who was the Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, born in India.
- Several people serving in the United States Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard.
Awardees from 2008
In 2008, more inspiring individuals were recognized:
- Elaine Chao, who became the United States Secretary of Transportation, born in Taiwan.
- Andy García, a famous actor born in Cuba.
- Elie Wiesel, a well-known writer born in Romania.
- People who served in the United States Army and leaders in business and academia.
Awardees from 2009
The 2009 group included:
- Joseph Cao, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, born in Vietnam.
- Maria Hinojosa, a journalist and author born in Mexico.
- Leaders in immigrant and refugee support organizations.
Awardees from 2010
In 2010, the award went to:
- People serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and Army.
- A Park Ranger for the National Park Service.
- Stephan Ross, who founded the New England Holocaust Memorial, born in Poland.
Awardees from 2011
Notable awardees in 2011 included:
- Madeleine K. Albright, who was a former U.S. Secretary of State, born in the Czech Republic.
- People working for U.S. Border Patrol, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Secret Service.
- Gerda Weissmann Klein, who founded Citizenship Counts, born in Poland.
Awardees from 2012
The 2012 recipients were leaders in technology, diplomacy, and academia:
- Khaled Hosseini, a diplomat and author born in Afghanistan.
- Michael Moritz, a partner at Sequoia Capital, born in Britain.
- Maria Otero, an Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, born in Bolivia.
Awardees from 2013
In 2013, the award recognized:
- Surgeons like Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, born in Mexico, and Rahul M. Jindal, born in India.
- People working for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Founders of community development councils.
Awardees from 2014
The 2014 awardees included:
- José Andrés, a famous chef born in Spain.
- Alejandro Mayorkas, who became the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, born in Cuba.
Awardees from 2015
In 2015, the award went to:
- Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, born in Mexico.
- Mariano Rivera, a legendary baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees, born in Panama.
- Thalía, a popular singer-songwriter and actress born in Mexico.
Awardees from 2016
The 2016 recipients included:
- Florent Groberg, who served in the United States Army, born in France.
- Antonia Hernández, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation, born in Mexico.
- Sally Jewell, a former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, born in Britain.
- Samantha Power, a diplomat born in Ireland.
Awardees from 2017
In 2017, the award recognized:
- Marisol A. Chalas, who serves in the U.S. Army Reserve.
- Meb Keflezighi, a long-distance runner born in Eritrea.
