In the East Room of the White House on a particularly frigid Saturday afternoon, US President Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.
Former US secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton aroused a standing ovation from the crowd as she received her medal. Clinton was accompanied to the event by her husband, former US president Bill Clinton, daughter, Chelsea Clinton, and grandchildren. Democratic philanthropist George Soros and actor-director Denzel Washington were also awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor in a White House ceremony.
“For the final time as president I have the honor bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people, who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America,” Biden said.
Photo: AFP
“Let me just say to each of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done to help this country,” he said.
Four medals were awarded posthumously. They went to George W. Romney, who served as Michigan governor and secretary of housing and urban development; former attorney-general and senator Robert F. Kennedy; former secretary of defense Ash Carter; and Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Kennedy is father to Robert F. Kennedy Jr, US president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for health and human services secretary.
hoto: AFP
“Bobby is one of my true political heroes. I love and I miss him dearly,” Biden said.
Romney is the father of former senator Mitt Romney, one of Trump’s strongest conservative critics.
Biden has days left in the White House and has spent the past few days issuing awards and medals to valiant military veterans, courageous law enforcement officials and exceptional US citizens.
The Medal of Freedom recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” the White House said.
Major philanthropists receiving the award include Spanish American chef Jose Andres, whose World Central Kitchen charity has become one of the world’s most recognized food relief organizations, and Bono, the lead singer for rock band U2 and a social justice activist.
Soros’ son Alex Soros accepted the medal on his father’s behalf.
In an e-mailed statement, George Soros said: “As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in America, I am deeply moved by this honor.”
Sports and entertainment stars recognized include professional soccer player Lionel Messi, who did not attend the event; retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson; actor Michael J. Fox, who is an outspoken advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development; and William Sanford Nye, known to generations of students as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
Other awardees include conservationist Jane Goodall; longtime Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour; US fashion designer Ralph Lauren; American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr; entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill; and David Rubenstein, cofounder of The Carlyle Group global investment firm.
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