WASHINGTON – In the East Room of the White House, on a very chilly Saturday afternoon, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of probably the most well-known names in politics, sports activities, leisure, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton drew a standing ovation from the viewers as she obtained her medal. Clinton was accompanied to the occasion by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton and grandchildren. Democratic philanthropist George Soros and actor-director Denzel Washington have been additionally awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor throughout a White House ceremony.
“For the final time as president, I’ve the honour of awarding the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, to a bunch of extraordinary folks, actually extraordinary, who’ve devoted their sacred dedication, their sacred dedication , to form the tradition and reason for America,” Biden mentioned in his opening remarks.
“Let me say to every of you, thanks, thanks, thanks for every thing you will have completed to assist this nation,” Biden mentioned Saturday.
Four medals have been awarded posthumously. They went to George W. Romney, who served as each 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 based the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Kennedy is the daddy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services. Biden mentioned: “Bobby is one among my true political heroes. I like him and miss him very a lot.
Romney is the daddy of former Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney, one among Trump’s strongest conservative critics.
Biden has just a few days left within the presidential workplace and has spent the previous few days awarding awards and medals to gallant army veterans, brave legislation enforcement officers and excellent Americans.
The White House mentioned Medal of Freedom recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or safety of the United States, to world peace, or to different essential social endeavors, public or non-public.”
Key philanthropists who’ve obtained the award embrace Spanish-American chef José Andrés, whose charity World Central Kitchen has grow to be probably the most acknowledged meals aid organizations on the earth, and Bono, entrance man 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 assertion, Soros mentioned: “As an immigrant who discovered freedom and prosperity in America, I’m deeply moved by this honor.”
Sports and leisure stars acknowledged embrace skilled footballer Lionel Messi, who didn’t attend the occasion; Earvin “Magic” Johnson, basketball legend and retired Los Angeles Lakers businessman; actor Michael J. Fox, who’s an outspoken advocate for Parkinson’s illness analysis and improvement; and William Sanford Nye, recognized to generations of scholars as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
Other honorees embrace environmentalist Jane Goodall; Anna Wintour, longtime editor-in-chief of Vogue journal; The American designer Ralph Lauren; American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.; entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill; and David Rubenstein, co-founder of worldwide funding agency The Carlyle Group.
Lauren is the primary designer to obtain the honour.
Last 12 months, Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 folks, together with the late Medgar Evers, House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and actress Michelle Yeoh.
According to the Congressional Research Service, the Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded 654 instances between 1963 and 2024. Notable previous Medal of Freedom recipients embrace Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou and Mother Teresa.
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