President Obama honors Kennedy, 15 others with Medal of Freedom
(NECN: Washington) – President Barack Obama is presenting 16 actors, athletes, activists, scientists and humanitarians with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Among those receiving it at the White House this afternoon are Mass. Sen. Ted Kennedy (his daughter accepted the award on his behalf), film star Sidney Poitier, civil rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery and tennis legend Billie Jean King. Statements from the White House on the 16 recipients of the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, which President Barack Obama awarded
on Wednesday: -Drawing strength from tragedy, Nancy Goodman Brinker has
transformed the nation’s approach to breast cancer. When her sister
was diagnosed in 1977, most breast cancer victims knew relatively
little about the disease and suffered from popular stigmas. Nancy
G. Brinker promised to challenge these norms. She founded Susan G.
Komen for the Cure in honor of her sister, and today, the
organization supports research and community awareness programs
across the United States and around the world. Nancy G. Brinker’s
unique passion and determination have been a blessing to all those
whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. -Dr. Pedro Jose “Joe” Greer Jr. has devoted his career to
improving medical services for the uninsured. A native of Miami, he
followed his passion for helping others to medical school and
founded the Camillus Health Concern (CHC) in 1984 as a medical
intern. Today, CHC treats thousands of homeless patients a year,
serving as a model clinic for the poor and inspiring physicians
everywhere to work with indigent populations. Dr. Greer’s
tremendous contributions to the South Florida community and our
nation as a whole stand as a shining example of the difference one
person can make in the lives of many. -Persistent in his pursuit of knowledge, Stephen Hawking has
unlocked new pathways of discovery and inspired people around the
world. He has dedicated his life to exploring the fundamental laws
that govern the universe, and he has contributed to some of the
greatest scientific discoveries of our time. His work has stirred
the imagination of experts and lay persons alike. Living with a
disability and possessing an uncommon ease of spirit, Stephen
Hawking’s attitude and achievements inspire hope, intellectual
curiosity and respect for the tremendous power of science. -A statesman and a sports icon, Jack French Kemp advocated for
his beliefs with an unwavering integrity and intellectual honesty.
On the football field, he earned the respect and admiration of his
teammates for his judgment and leadership. As a public servant, he
placed country before party, and ideas before ideology. Jack Kemp
saw bridges where others saw divisions, and his legacy serves as a
shining example for all who strive to challenge conventional
wisdom, stay true to themselves and better our nation. -For more than four decades, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has boldly
fought for equal opportunity, fairness and justice for all
Americans. In his tireless quest for a more perfect union, Sen.
Kennedy has reformed our schools, strengthened our civil rights,
helped seniors and working families, lifted up the poor, and worked
to ensure that every American has access to quality and affordable
health care. With volumes of laws bearing his name and countless
lives touched by his extraordinary passion, Sen. Kennedy has
accumulated several lifetimes’ worth of achievements. The United
States proudly recognizes this righteous citizen, devout public
servant and giant among men. -Through her example and advocacy, Billie Jean Moffitt King has
advanced the struggle for greater gender equality around the world.
In an age of male-dominated sports, her pioneering journey took her
from Long Beach, Calif., to the lawns of the All England Club and
the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Her athletic acumen is
matched only by her unwavering defense of equal rights. With Billie
Jean King pushing us, the road ahead will be smoother for women,
the future will be brighter for LGBT Americans, and our nation’s
commitment to equality will be stronger for all. -Rev. Joseph E. Lowery has marched through life with faith and
purpose, carrying with him the legacy of a movement that touched
America’s conscience and changed its history. At the forefront of
the major civil rights events of our time – from the Montgomery bus
boycott to protests against apartheid – he has served as a tireless
beacon for nonviolence and social justice. As a pastor and civil
rights advocate, he co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership
Conference and championed the cause of peace and freedom around the
world. The United States proudly honors this outstanding leader. -As a warrior and living legend, history flows through Dr.
Joseph Medicine Crow High Bird. Born on a reservation and raised by
traditional grandparents, he became the first member of his tribe
to earn a master’s degree. For his valiant service in World War II,
he was awarded the status of Crow War Chief, and his renowned
studies of the First Americans and contributions to cultural and
historical preservation have been critical to our understanding of
America’s history. Joe Medicine Crow is a symbol of strength and
survival, and the United States honors him for his dedication to
this country and to all Native Americans. -Harvey Bernard Milk dedicated his life to shattering boundaries
and challenging assumptions. As one of the first openly gay elected
officials in this country, he changed the landscape of opportunity
for the nation’s gay community. Throughout his life, he fought
discrimination with visionary courage and conviction. Before his
tragic death in 1978, he wisely noted, “Hope will never be
silent,” and called upon Americans to stay true to the guiding
principles of equality and justice for all. Harvey Milk’s voice
will forever echo in the hearts of all those who carry forward his
timeless message. -Sandra Day O’Connor has paved the way for millions of women to
achieve their dreams. Completing law school in just two years, she
graduated third in her class at a time when women rarely entered
the legal profession. With grace and humor, tenacity and
intelligence, she rose to become the first woman on the United
States Supreme Court. Her historic 25-term tenure on the court was
defined by her integrity and independence, and she has earned the
nation’s lasting gratitude for her invaluable contributions to
history and the law. -Ambassador and actor, Sidney Poitier has left an indelible mark
on American culture. Rising from the tomato farms of the Bahamas,
his talent led him to Broadway, Hollywood and global acclaim. In
front of black and white audiences struggling to right the nation’s
moral compass, Sidney Poitier brought us the common tragedy of
racism, the inspiring possibility of reconciliation, and the simple
joys of everyday life. Ultimately, the man would mirror the
character, and both would advance the nation’s dialogue on race and
respect. -From stage to screen, Chita Rivera has captured America’s
imagination with her magnetic presence and radiant voice. Over a
career that has spanned a half-century, she has received numerous
accolades for her performances, including two Tony Awards, six
additional Tony nominations, and the Kennedy Center Honors Award.
As fearless as Anita in “West Side Story,” and as self-reliant as
Aurora in “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” she has broken barriers
under Broadway’s lights and inspired a generation of women to
follow in her remarkable footsteps. The United States honors Chita
Rivera for her lifetime of achievement as one of America’s great
artists. -For Mary Robinson, the fight to end discrimination and
suffering is an urgent moral imperative. She has been a
trail-blazing crusader for women’s rights in Ireland and a forceful
advocate for equality and human rights around the world. Whether
courageously visiting conflict-stricken regions, or working to
inject concern for human rights into business and economic
development, Mary Robinson continues this important work today,
urging citizens and nations to make common cause for justice. -Dr. Janet Davison Rowley was the first scientist to identify a
chromosomal translocation as the cause of leukemia and other
cancers – considered among the most important medical breakthroughs
of the past century. After enrolling at the University of Chicago
at age 15, she went on to challenge the conventional medical wisdom
about the cause of cancer in the 1970s, which had placed little
emphasis on chromosomal abnormalities. Her work has proven
enormously influential to researchers worldwide who have used her
discovery to identify genes that cause fatal cancers and to develop
targeted therapies that have revolutionized cancer care. The United
States honors this distinguished scientist for advancing genetic
research and the understanding of our most devastating diseases. -With unflagging devotion to justice, indomitable optimism, and
an unmistakable sense of humor, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo
Tutu has stirred the world’s conscience for decades. As a man of
the cloth, he has drawn the respect and admiration of a diverse
congregation. He helped lead South Africa through a turning point
in modern history, and with an unshakable humility and firm
commitment to our common humanity, he helped heal wounds and lay
the foundation for a new nation. Desmond Tutu continues to give
voice to the voiceless and bring hope to those who thirst for
freedom. -With his belief in the self-reliance of all people, Professor
Muhammad Yunus has altered the face of finance and
entrepreneurship. As an academic, he struggled with pervading
economic theories and their effects on the people of his native
Bangladesh. Yearning for a new way of lifting people out of
poverty, he revolutionized banking to allow low-income borrowers
access to credit. In the process, he has enabled citizens of the
world’s poorest countries to create profitable businesses, support
their families and help build sustainable communities. In so doing,
Muhammad Yunus has unleashed new avenues of creativity and inspired
millions worldwide to imagine their own potential. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)