President Obama honors 15

WASHINGTON – President Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday to former President George H.W. Bush and 14 others, including poet Maya Angelou, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, investor Warren Buffett and basketball legend Bill Russell.

The medal is the highest U.S. honor a civilian can receive.

“This is one of the things I most look forward to every year,” Obama said, calling the honorees “the best of who we are and who we aspire to be.”

Obama reviewed the life and career of President Bush, describing his time as a Navy pilot, U.N. ambassador, U.S. envoy to China, director of the CIA and as vice-president under President Reagan.

Obama also praised Bush for achievements during his 1989-93 presidency, including reducing nuclear weapons, driving Saddam Hussein’s forces out of Kuwait and overseeing the aftermath of the Cold War’s end. The president commended Bush for his post-presidency work with disaster relief.

“His life is a testament that public service is a noble calling,” Obama said. “His humility and his decency reflects the very best of the American spirit. Those of you who know him – this is a gentleman.”

Angelou was the one of several artists among the honorees. Obama praised her for rising above an abusive childhood to inspire others with her words, saying her voice has “spoken to millions, including my mother, which is why my sister is named Maya.”

He quoted Angelou, saying, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again,” and bent down to kiss her cheek as he presented her with the medal.

Obama joked that Ma, a world-renowned cellist who has been performing in concert since age 5, was a “late bloomer,” and described his award-winning career, which includes 15 Grammy Awards and more than 75 albums.

“There are very few people you’ll meet that possess the joy that Yo-Yo Ma does,” Obama said.