In a special meeting held at his office on Oct. 1, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, officially recognized Ellwood City native Eric Perkins as a Congressional Award Silver Medal Recipient.

Perkins, 23, began working toward a Congressional Award when he was 14 years old. The Congressional Award is open to anyone between ages 14 and 24, and recognizes young Americans for initiative and public service.

In this case, Perkins served his community through preparing income taxes at the Center for Community Resources in Butler, as well as serving meals at the New Beginnings Free Methodist Church on Center Avenue in Butler.

“You are an inspiration to others, and I have every confidence that you will continue to achieve remarkable success in all that you do,” Kelly said about Perkins.