Clinton To Award Medal Of Freedom To 15

President Clinton will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 15 Americans, including the first female Indian chief, a disability rights activist and a man who held four Cabinet posts.

Clinton plans to present the medals, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony Jan. 15, the White House announced Thursday.

Among the recipients is Wilma Mankiller, who was twice elected to head the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller worked to reduce infant mortality, improve health and education and promote business among Cherokees.

Another honoree is Elliot Richardson, who held four Cabinet positions - secretary of health, education and welfare, attorney general, secretary of defense and secretary of commerce - under Presidents Nixon and Ford.

Clinton bestowed posthumous honors on Albert Shanker, who led the American Federation of Teachers for more than 20 years. Shanker died of cancer in February 1997 at age 68.

Other medal recipients are:

Justin Dart Jr., who has advocated the rights of the disabled for more than 40 years. His work resulted in the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that public facilities be adapted to accommodate handicapped people.

Adm. Elmo “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., former chief of naval operations, who issued directives to end discrimination in the Navy. Zumwalt is now an advocate for compensation for the health problems of Vietnam veterans.

David Rockefeller, former chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank and philanthropist who has funded numerous projects in the arts, literacy, international family planning and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Sol Linowitz, a Rockefeller partner in the service corps and a businessman, is a former U.S. representative to the Organization of American States. He served as ambassador-at-large for Middle East negotiations under President Carter.

James Farmer, civil rights activist who founded the Congress of Racial Equality, an organization that helped spur the civil rights movement.

Arnold Aronson, founder of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, an umbrella lobbying organization for civil rights groups.

Brooke Astor, a philanthropist who financed the revitalization of the New York Public Library.

Frances Hesselbein, an expert on not-forprofit corporations who led a revitalization of the Girl Scouts of America from 1976 to 1990.

Fred Korematsu, whose legal challenges to civilian exclusion orders during World War II helped spur the redress movement for Japanese-Americans.

Robert Coles, an adviser to President Kennedy on racial issues and psychologist who has researched children’s experiences with racism.

Margaret Murie, an environmental activist whose work with The Wilderness Society led to passage of legislation protecting Alaskan lands.

Mario Obledo, longtime Latino rights advocate and co-founder of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund.