President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to 19 people on Saturday. According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is “presented to individuals who 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 award was established by the late President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom spanned across politics, culture and the arts, and included former Senator Hillary Clinton – the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party — who “made history many times over decades in public service.” A statement from the White House read: “President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”
Other recipients included fashion designer Ralph Lauren, U2 frontman Bono, billionaire philanthropist George Soros, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, and Inter Miami soccer star Lionel Messi. Additionally, Biden honored ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, science educator Bill Nye “The Science Guy,” LGBTQ activist and entrepreneur Tim Gill, billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein and American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.
Those receiving the award posthumously were former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter and former Michigan Gov. George W. Romney.
Biden gave brief remarks before presenting the awards on Saturday afternoon, stating: “For the final time as president I have the honor of bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, to a group of extraordinary — truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and the cause of America. Together, you leave an incredible mark – and I mean this sincerely, this group – you leave an incredible mark on our country.”
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