Jesuit Father Greg Boyle, founder and director of Homeboy Industries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were among the 19 to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, on May 3. were among the Americans.
The White House said the award is given to “individuals who have made exemplary contributions to America's prosperity, values, security, world peace, or other important social, public, or private endeavors.” Ta.
In comments at the medal ceremony, Biden said Boyle “changed countless lives” through his work rehabilitating former gang members.
Biden joked that he was educated by the Norbertians, who were worried that their students would go to Jesuit universities because “you guys are too liberal.”
“Thank God for Jebby,” Biden said, sarcastically saying, “What the staff hates is ad-libbing.”
Boyle founded Homeboy Industries in 1992 to improve the lives of former gang members. The organization has evolved into the world's largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program.
He previously served as pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights, the poorest Catholic parish in Los Angeles, which had one of the highest concentrations of gang activity in the city, which led to his ministry becoming more difficult. inspired.
“Congratulations Father G. You deserve it,” Homeboy Industries wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Pelosi made history as the first and only woman to serve as Speaker of the House, leading the chamber from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. Her ability to bring together different factions within the party to pass some of the party's major legislative goals, including the 2010 Affordable Care Act and her 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Act became known for.
Pelosi's tenure has been marked by both accomplishments and controversies, including over her Catholic faith. Pelosi frequently discusses her Catholic faith on a variety of issues, including immigration, poverty and the climate. Although she has at times been at odds with Catholic bishops over her public policy positions, particularly on abortion, she has something in common with Biden, the nation's second Catholic president.
Biden called Pelosi a “fantastic, pragmatic, principled and determined leader” and said her accomplishments were “overwhelming.”
“I am deeply grateful to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the great and patriotic President of the United States, Joe Biden,” Pelosi said in a statement.
“The medal is about America's highest value: freedom, and it is an honor to be respected,” Pelosi said. “Freedom is the vision of our founders, the goal of our men and women in uniform, and our promise to our children. Respect for freedom and respect for all who receive it. I am deeply honored and forever honored. Thank you, President Biden. ”
Other recipients include former Vice President Al Gore, Congressman James Clyburn, whose support for Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary is seen as contributing to Biden's first victory in the Palmetto State; Including Elizabeth Dole. John Kerry, former Republican senator from North Carolina, former secretary of the Department of Labor and Transportation, and former U.S. Secretary of State.
Winners include Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, and Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky, another prominent Catholic recipient.
“President Biden has often said that if we act together, nothing is beyond our ability,” the White House said in a statement announcing the award winners.
“These 19 Americans have built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations, and businesses that have shaped America for the better. They are the pinnacle of leadership in their respective fields,” their statement said. “Throughout their careers, they have consistently demonstrated the power of community, hard work, and service.”
At the end of his presidential term in January 2017, then-President Barack Obama surprised Vice President Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Biden was so moved to tears at the ceremony that he told attendees he had “no idea” he would win the award, too.
In 2004, then-President George W. Bush presented the award to Pope John Paul II during a visit to the Vatican in Rome.
