Biden awards top honor to Democratic allies at White House

President Biden recently honored 19 remarkable individuals with the United States’ highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The recipients were recognized for their significant contributions to various fields, including politics, civil rights, sports, and entertainment.

The White House announced the list of recipients, which included prominent figures such as former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Vice-President Al Gore, and former Secretary of State John Kerry. Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, who played a crucial role in endorsing Biden during the 2020 primary, was also among the honorees.

In a video celebrating the recipients, President Biden highlighted the importance of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, describing it as a symbol of America’s commitment to freedom and progress. Civil rights leaders were well-represented among the awardees, with LGBTQ activist Judy Shepard, Juneteenth advocate Opal Lee, lawyer Clarence Jones, and Mississippi civil rights leader Medgar Evers receiving the prestigious award.

United Farm Workers president Teresa Romero and Catholic priest Fr. Greg Boyle, known for his anti-gang ministry work, were also honored. Other recipients included talk-show host Phil Donahue, Olympian Katie Ledecky, actress Michelle Yeoh, astronomer Jane Rigby, and former NASA Johnson Space Center director Ellen Ochoa.

Additionally, the late Jim Thorpe, the first American Indian Olympic gold medalist, and the late Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey were posthumously awarded. Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, the only Republican lawmaker recognized, who served in the cabinets of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, was also among the esteemed recipients.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, is the highest civilian award in the nation. It replaced the Medal of Freedom created by President Harry S. Truman in 1945, which honored individuals for their aid during World War II. The award is meant to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural and public endeavors.

President Biden himself received the Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama in 2017 while serving as vice president. The recent ceremony celebrated the diverse accomplishments of the honorees and highlighted their lasting impact on American society.