The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Yesterday, the White House released the names of the recipients of the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
President Barack Obama talks with former President Bill Clinton before an event in McLean, Va., Sunday, April 29, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
What do baseball player Ernie Banks, former President Bill Clinton, and Oprah Winfrey all have in common? Later this year, they will be honored by President Obama as three of the sixteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Fifty years ago, President Kennedy signed an Executive Order establishing the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the Nation’s highest civilian honor. President Obama said, “The Presidential Medal of Freedom goes to men and women who have dedicated their own lives to enriching ours. This year’s honorees have been blessed with extraordinary talent, but what sets them apart is their gift for sharing that talent with the world. It will be my honor to present them with a token of our nation’s gratitude.”
President Obama greets former astronaut Sally Ride prior to the launch of the "Educate to Innovate" Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (Stem) Education, in the South Court Auditorium of the White House, Nov. 23, 2009. (Official White House Photo)
This year, the Presidential Medal of Freedom will be awarded to:
- Ernie Banks
- Ben Bradlee
- Bill Clinton
- Daniel Inouye
- Daniel Kahneman
- Richard Lugar
- Loretta Lynn
- Mario Molina
- Sally Ride
- Bayard Rustin
- Arturo Sandoval
- Dean Smith
- Gloria Steinem
- Cordy Tindell "C.T." Vivian
- Patricia Wald
- Oprah Winfrey
Learn more about each of the 2013 Medal of Freedom recipients here.
