The 2009 Medal Of Freedom
The White House has named sixteen men and woman to receive the 2009 Medal of Freedom, and in a refreshing change from the past eight years, there’s not a warmongering Secretary of Defense, a war-enabling head of the CIA, a bootlicking ally, or a delusional neo-con hawk in the bunch.
This year’s recipients are:
Edward Kennedy, Sandra Day O’Connor, Harvey Milk, Desmond Tutu, Jack Kemp, Janet Davison Rowley, Nancy Goodman Brinker, Pedro Jose Greer, Jr., Stephen Hawking, Billie Jean King, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Joe Medicine Crow – High Bird, Sidney Poitier, Chita Rivera, Mary Robinson, Muhammad Yunus
According to a White House press release, President Obama made the announcement, saying:
These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds. Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way.
Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive. It is my great honor to award them the Medal of Freedom.
Biographies of the recipients are below the fold, and additional discussion of the recipients is going on in the recommended diary by Momus.
