At the 2006 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, the membership of NAMM voted to award Justin the "Music for Life" award.  According to the American Music Conference, "[t]he NAMM Music for Life Award, created in 1990, recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals who play a significant role in promoting music education in the nation's schools and whose dedication to music and music education serves as an inspiration to others. Previous honorees have included John Tesh, Richard Dreyfuss, Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, music education advocate Karl Bruhn, recording artist Nanci Griffith, Representative Bob Clement, NARAS President Michael Greene and Professor Emeritus of Physics Dr. Gordon Shaw of the University of California, Irvine."  Along with Justin, this year NAMM recognized Diana DeGarmo and Felice Mancini of Mr. Holland's Opus.

On March 9, 2005, Justin was part of a Washington D.C. delegation that included the Commodores, Take 6, and American Idol contestants Diana DeGarmo and John Stevens.

The delegation's mission was to deliver a petition with over thirty thousand signatures to members of Congress, emphasizing the importance of music education in the curriculum of all school children, and the dangers of continued cuts in these programs. 

The petition drive, which began in June, 2002, was the result of a "non-profit effort to let kids tell the world they want music in their lives and in their schools . . . ."  It was sponsored by NAMM (the common name for the International Music Products Association), its non-profit affiliate the American Music Conference (AMC) and its teen web site, themusicedge.com, and TEEN PEOPLE magazine. 

The delegation met with members of Congress during the day, and that evening, put on a private gala concert for Congress members, their families and staff.