President awards Medal of Freedom to 16 people
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor Wednesday to 16 Americans, including former President Bill Clinton and iconic talk show host Oprah Winfrey, in a star-studded and often poignant celebration at the White House.
“These are the men and women who in their extraordinary lives remind us all of the beauty of the human spirit, the values that define us as Americans, the potential that lives inside of all of us,” Obama said in a 45-minute ceremony.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given to those who have “made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” according to the White House.
The late Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space, Watergate-era Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee and country music legend Loretta Lynn were among the leaders of sports, politics, science and the arts to receive the medal.
Most of the loudest applause was reserved for Clinton, who since leaving the White House has raised money to help in the aftermath of natural disasters and created a foundation to improve health, economies and the environment across the globe.
“Lifting up families like his own became the story of Bill Clinton’s life,” Obama said. “He wanted to make sure he made life better and easier for so many people across the country.”
In recent years, Obama and Clinton have become allies, but the relationship between the 42nd and 44th presidents has been fraught with complications, particularly in 2008 when Obama and Clinton’s wife competed for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008. Just last week, Clinton urged Obama to allow Americans to keep their insurance as part of the new troubled health care law. The two hugged briefly.
“I’m grateful, Bill, as well for the advice and counsel that you’ve offered me on and off the golf course,” Obama said. “And most importantly, for your lifesaving work around the world, which represents what’s the very best in America. So thank you so much, President Clinton.”
Obama mentioned Hillary Clinton, his former secretary of state, only once, thanking Clinton for having patience “during the endless travels of my secretary of state.”
In holding the event Wednesday, Obama honored the legacy of President John F. Kennedy, who established the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Kennedy was assassinated 50 years ago this week in Dallas, two weeks before he could honor the inaugural class of 31 recipients.
“I hope we carry away from this a reminder of what JFK understood to be the essence of the American spirit,” Obama said. “Some of us may be less talented, but we all have the opportunity to serve and to open people’s hearts and minds in our smaller orbits.”