TAMPA, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) presented the prestigious Congressional Award to Sickles High School junior Chase Hartman. Hartman earned the Silver and Bronze Congressional Award medals for his work on literacy and sustainability, particularly through his innovative non-profit, Eco Brothers, Inc., that he pioneered with his younger brother Zach.

“Chase Hartman is an incredible example of the high caliber of students in Hillsborough County Public Schools who are focused are lifting up their neighbors and community,” said Rep. Castor. “Chase worked hard to exceed his goals for philanthropy, fitness and citizenship - and I enjoyed presenting the Congressional Award in Mr. Burr’s AP U.S. History class.”

“I started the service project with my brother just about seven years ago to increase literacy rates in the Tampa Bay area,” said Hartman. “This was such a good experience, I got to learn so much about goal-setting and planning.”

Eco. Brothers, Inc. is a company run by Chase and his younger brother, Zach Hartman, focused on making a difference in the community. Eco Brothers has collected and donated 200,000 books, raised $100,000 for literacy and environmental issues and impacted the lives of more than 45,000 students in Hillsborough County, Florida. They have championed the need for books-with-diversity and dual language books in their county, raising more than $60,000 to purchase these new books with the help of grants from Points of Light, Karma for Cara, and the Lightning Foundation. Leading a team of hundreds of students, Chase and Zach have collectively dedicated more than 2500 hours to serving their communities.

The Congressional Award is a public partnership created by Congress to promote and recognize achievement, initiative, and service in America's youth. The Congressional Award provides a unique opportunity for young people to set and achieve personally challenging goals that build character and foster community service, personal development, and citizenship.