Pelosi Statement on Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients

Pelosi Statement on Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on President Obama naming the recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Obama will present the awards at a ceremony on August 12.

â€Å"In naming the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients today, President Obama has honored the fundamental values of service and progress. Though those to be honored have a diversity of backgrounds, they share a commitment to change, to improving their communities and our world.

â€Å"It brings great pride to San Franciscans that Harvey Milk will receive this award posthumously. Harvey lived his entire life to create opportunity for others. We continue the work he begun, the work that was so tragically cut short, by ensuring equal rights for all members of the LGBT community.

â€Å"On behalf of all Members of Congress, I congratulate our friend and colleague, Senator Ted Kennedy. Few have accomplished more in a lifetime than Senator Kennedy has; this award - the highest a civilian can receive - honors his steadfast commitment to the American ideal of justice.”

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The following 16 agents of change will receive the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom:

Nancy Goodman Brinker

Pedro José Greer, Jr.

Stephen Hawking

Jack Kemp

Edward Kennedy

Billie Jean King

Joseph Lowery

Joe Medicine Crow - High Bird

Harvey Milk

Sandra Day O'Connor

Sidney Poitier

Chita Rivera

Mary Robinson

Janet Davison Rowley

Desmond Tutu

Muhammad Yunus