The Congressional Award Foundation has announced that it will honor Salt Lake City’s Gail Miller with its Horizon Award at the organization’s annual Gold Medal Ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 20. The foundation will honor the humanitarian leader and businesswoman for setting an example for youth and expanding opportunities for Americans, according to a release from the group. The award will recognize the owner and chairman of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies for her life’s work as an extraordinary example for the nation’s youth, particularly young women.
The Congressional Award Foundation supports the efforts of the Congressional Award program that is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans and is Congress’ only charity. The program is non-partisan, voluntary and non-competitive. A special recognition from the Joint Leadership Commission of the Congressional Award Foundation and its board of directors, the Horizon Award recognizes individuals from the private sector who “have worked to expand opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions,” the foundation’s website says.
Previous recipients of the Horizon Award include Drew Brees, America Ferrera, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Bob Lanier, Wynton Marsalis, Cal Ripken Jr., Pat and Emmitt Smith and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Gail embodies the spirit of this award by demonstrating thought for others in her decision-making and using her influence to shape communities for the better,” said Paxton K. Baker, chairman of the Congressional Award national board of directors. “Gail’s story is about finding true individuality, and her life’s work serves as an extraordinary example for our nation’s youth, particularly young women.”
The late Larry H. and Gail Miller established one of the largest privately owned groups of companies in the western United States, with ownership of over 60 car dealerships, the Utah Jazz, Megaplex Theatres and more. In the decade following Larry Miller’s passing, She has shown the importance of resolve and drive and been a source of inspiration for many seeking to find their identity, the foundation said.
In April 2018, Gail Miller published the book Courage to Be You: Inspiring Lessons from an Unexpected Journey. The book’s central focus is about finding purpose. She shares personal anecdotes about the role faith played in shaping her as a person, the strength of women and how she measures wealth. “The success and the money and the worldly things that we have are not where I count my wealth. My wealth is counted in relationships, being able to provide jobs for people where they can support their family and live good lives. Those are the things that really drove us,” said Miller in a March 2018 interview with the Deseret News.
In addition to her leadership of the family businesses, Miller also presides over the Larry H. Miller Education Foundation and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, which support charitable, educational and humanitarian causes.