President Joe Biden on Friday honored a number of current and former members of Congress and politicians with the nation's highest civilian honors in an event that marks a grand return to a different political era amid today's bare-knuckle politics. Awarded.
Biden, who accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom from then-President Barack Obama in a surprise ceremony, presented the same honor to about 20 people at the White House. The list also included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California. Former Democratic Party Leadership Assistant James E. Clyburn, D.C. Former Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D.J.) Former Republican Sen. Elizabeth of North Carolina Mr. Dole also received a medal.
The timing of Friday's ceremony comes as expectations for a rematch between Biden and former President Donald Trump are already heating up, with polls in some battleground states showing the incumbent trailing behind Biden. , there is a clear sense that if Trump wins, we won't know whether it's now or for a while. in November. But rather than creating a partisan atmosphere, the late afternoon ceremony in the East Room was reminiscent of less combative times, with Biden pinning medals on recipients.
Biden said receiving the award was an “extraordinary honor,” praising the recipients' collective “relentless curiosity” and “ingenuity” and encouraging each to pursue “a better tomorrow.” He said that
He praised each recipient, using descriptions such as “champions of dignity,” “pioneers,” “fervent champions,” and “first class.”
This is an introduction to those who received awards.
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
The California Democrat is the first female speaker, first taking the gavel in 2007 and holding the seat until 2011. She returned to the chair position in 2019, a position she held until 2023. “She used her superpowers to pass the most important election in our nation's history,'' Biden said, adding, “History will remember you as the greatest Speaker of the House. …I love you, boy.”
Ms. Pelosi ran a steady ship, often reminding reporters that she was a trained professional and a seasoned lawmaker. She rarely moves major or controversial legislation without first seeing if it passes.
One of her major accomplishments was helping President Obama push health care reform through the House of Representatives in 2010. After that, she clashed frequently with Trump, publicly arguing with him in the Oval Office in front of journalists and later tearing up a copy of her State of the Union address.
Congressman James E. Clyburn
The South Carolina Democratic Party has become something of a kingmaker in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. Biden's support in the Palmetto State helped propel the former vice president to his party's nomination. “Jim has led South Carolina and our country with a steady hand and an honest heart for the past half-century,” Biden said. “If it wasn't for Jim, I wouldn't be standing here as president accepting these awards.”
As a student activist leader at South Carolina State University, Clyburn helped organize many civil rights marches and demonstrations.
“During his 30 years in the House of Representatives, Congressman Clyburn changed the lives of millions of Americans and built a freer country,” the White House said in a statement.
Former Vice President Al Gore
The former Tennessee congressman later became a senator and then vice president to President Bill Clinton. He conceded the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush after a lengthy legal battle, a move seen as a contrast to Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Biden. Often quoted. Mr. Gore did so “for the unity and trust of our organization,” the president said.
Since then, Gore has become one of the world's leading voices on climate issues. He once pitched a “lockbox” aimed at preserving the Medicare program that was parodied by comedians on shows like “Saturday Night Live.”
The White House announced that he was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for his bold actions on climate change.
Former Senator John F. Kerry
The Massachusetts congressman served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and later served as secretary of state in the Obama administration. He has drawn praise from Democrats but scorn from Republicans for his role in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Biden praised Kerry for his 60 years of service, calling him a “patriot of the highest order” and noting that he was awarded the Silver Star Award for his work in Vietnam.
Kerry was Biden's global climate leader until earlier this year, a position often attacked by Republicans.
During the failed campaign against then-President George W. Bush in 2004, a new term was coined: “Swift Boating” to refer to turning a candidate's biographical assets into an attack. Republicans produced a list of criticisms of Mr. Kelly's career as a captain of a small Navy ship during the Vietnam War.
Late Senator Frank Lautenberg
The Democrat, who died in 2013, was the only New Jersey senator to win five terms and was a powerful member of the Appropriations Committee. “Frank will be remembered as a tireless advocate for consumers, public health and safety,” said Biden, who served with Lautenberg in the Senate.
The New York Times described him as “never a flashy senator,” adding in his obituary that he “had a consistently liberal voting record.” Americans for Democratic Action said he voted liberal 94 percent of the time. ”
He is perhaps best known for challenging the tobacco and alcohol industry, pushing for a ban on smoking on airplanes and the fight against drunk driving. But those weren't his only problems. “He is remembered for his significant work on environmental protection and consumer safety across many areas,” according to a White House summary.
Former Congresswoman Elizabeth Dole
Mr. Dole served as a Republican senator from North Carolina from 2003 to 2009, as well as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Labor, and president of the American Red Cross.
Now, Dole is “leading by example through the foundation's support of military caregivers and their families,” the White House noted.
She was also the wife of the late Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kansas), who Biden said he “misses greatly.”
michael bloomberg
Bloomberg, a billionaire who served three terms as New York City's mayor, first as a Republican and then as an independent, was also the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.
The White House described him as an “entrepreneur” and “philanthropist” who “revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed education, the environment, public health and the arts in New York City.”
Biden said Bloomberg has “challenged us” and revolutionized our economy. Bloomberg also said that as mayor, he “rebuilt New York City after 9/11.”
