In the East Room of the White House, on a particularly frigid Saturday afternoon, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights , the defense of LGBTQ+ rights and science.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received a standing ovation from the crowd as she received her medal. Clinton was joined at the event by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, her daughter Chelsea Clinton and her grandchildren. Democratic philanthropist George Soros and actor-director Denzel Washington also received the nation’s highest civilian honor in a White House ceremony.
“For the last time as President, I have the honor of awarding the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, to an extraordinary group of people, truly extraordinary, who have given their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America,” Biden said in his opening remarks.
“Let me just say to each and every one of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you have done to help this country,” Biden said Saturday.
4 medals awarded posthumously
Four medals were awarded posthumously. They went to George W. Romney, who served as both governor of Michigan and secretary of Housing and Urban Development; former Attorney General and Senator Robert F. Kennedy; Ash Carter, former Secretary of Defense; and Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Kennedy is the father of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services. Biden said: “Bobby is one of my true political heroes. I love him and miss him dearly.”
Romney is the father of former Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, one of Trump’s staunchest conservative critics.
Recipients made “exemplary contributions”
Biden has a few days left in the presidential office and has spent the last few days presenting awards and medals to valiant military veterans, courageous law enforcement officials and outstanding Americans.
The White House said Medal of Freedom recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other societal endeavors, public or private.” important”.
Leading philanthropists receiving the award include Spanish-American chef Jose Andres, whose charity World Central Kitchen has become one of the world’s most recognized food relief organizations, and Bono, frontman of the rock band U2 and activist for social justice.
Soros’ son, Alex Soros, accepted the medal on his father’s behalf. In an emailed statement, Soros said, “As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in America, I am deeply moved by this honor.”
Noted sports and entertainment stars include professional footballer Lionel Messi, who did not attend the event; Earvin “Magic” Johnson, basketball legend and retired Los Angeles Lakers businessman; actor Michael J. Fox, who is a strong advocate for Parkinson’s research and development; and William Sanford Nye, known to generations of students as “Bill Nye the Scientist.”
Other winners include environmentalist Jane Goodall; long lasting Vogue Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of the magazine; American fashion designer Ralph Lauren; George Stevens Jr., founder of the American Film Institute; entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill; and David Rubenstein, co-founder of global investment firm The Carlyle Group.
Lauren is the first fashion designer to receive this honor.
Last year, Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people, including the late Medgar Evers, House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and actress Michelle Yeoh.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded 654 times between 1963 and 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. Notable Medal of Freedom recipients of the past include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou and Mother Teresa.
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