"I believe what makes a society thrive are citizens determined to see shared ideals realized - realized not just for a select few, but as our pledge says, for all."
"Shared Ideals Realized," the words of Senator Heinz in whose memory the Awards were created, are inscribed on the obverse side of the medallion given to each recipient of the Heinz Awards.
On the reverse side of the medallion appears an image of a globe positioned between two hands. In its simplest sense, the image symbolizes the notion of helping hands. Additionally, because the hands belong to two different people, it symbolizes the idea of partnership - joining together to work for the greater good.
At a more complex level, the hands suggest transference. One hand is catching the globe as it is handed off by the other, representing a passing of stewardship over the earth and its inhabitants from one generation to the next.
