President Joe Biden named 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Friday morning. Video above: Athlete awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom The nation's highest civilian honor is “for contributions to the prosperity, values, security, world peace, or other significant social, public, or important contributions of the United States.” “This is a private sector effort presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the world,” the White House said in a news release. This year's winners are: Michael Bloomberg The former three-term mayor of New York City “revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed New York City's education, environment, public health and the arts,” the White House said. Father Gregory Boyle Boyle is a Jesuit Catholic priest and founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program, located in Los Angeles. Jim Clyburn is a former House Majority Leader and Assistant House Democratic Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Clyburn is currently serving his 16th term and has served as South Carolina's U.S. representative since 1993. Elizabeth Dole Former North Carolina senator Elizabeth Dole previously served as Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of Labor under President George H.W. Bush. She eventually became president of the American Red Cross, a position she held from 1991 until 1999. Phil Donahue Phil Donahue is a journalist and television pioneer who created and hosted her first lecture, “The Phil Donahue Show'' (later known simply as “Donahue''). A show-style program with audience participation. The show aired on national television for 29 years, starting in 1967 in Dayton, Ohio and ending in 1996 in New York City. Medgar Evers (Posthumous) Medgar Evers fought in World War II and returned to his hometown to lead the fight against racism. Announced by the White House in Mississippi. He was murdered in his home at the age of 37, and his wife Marley continued to fight for justice and equality in his name. He is a member of the House of Representatives. He is jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for his efforts towards action on climate change. Clarence B. Jones Clarence B. Jones is a famous civil rights activist and lawyer who helped draft Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s books. “I have a dream” speech. John Kerry John Kerry is a former Secretary of State, U.S. senator, and the first presidential special envoy for climate change. He also served in the Vietnam War, earning the Silver Star and Bronze Star. Frank Lautenberg (posthumously) Frank Lautenberg served his five terms in the United States Senate and was New Jersey's longest-serving senator. “He will be remembered for his important work on environmental protection and consumer safety across many areas,” the White House said. Katie Ledecky Katie Ledecky is one of the most decorated female swimmers in history. She continues her competition, winning 7 gold medals at the Olympics and 21 gold medals at the World Championships. Opal Lee Opal Lee is an educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. In 2021, Ms. Lee signed a bill officially making Juneteenth a national holiday, joining Mr. Biden.She is Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to go into space. , the second female director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Ochoa has flown in space four times and logged about 1,000 hours in orbit. Nancy Pelosi Nancy Pelosi is the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives and has represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 36 years. “She is a staunch defender of democracy, and she has shaped the legislative agenda and priorities of the Democratic Party for decades,” the White House said. Jane Rigby Jane Rigby is an American astrophysicist from Delaware who works at the Goddard Space Flight Center and is a senior project scientist at the James Space Flight Center. Webb Space Telescope. Teresa Romero Teresa Romero is president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina woman to become president of a national union in the United States. Judy Shepard Judy Shepard is the co-founder of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, an organization established in honor of her son. She was murdered in 1998. The foundation runs her LGBTQ education, outreach, and advocacy programs. Jim Thorpe (posthumously) Jim Thorpe was the first native American to win an Olympic gold medal. He went on to play six seasons in the MLB and six teams in the NFL. He was also a member of an all-American Indian professional basketball team. Michelle Yeoh Michelle Yeoh is an actress known for appearing in several blockbuster films over the past four decades. In 2023, she became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
President Joe Biden named 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Friday morning.
Video above: Athletes awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
The nation's highest civilian honor 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,” the White House said in a news release. said that it would be awarded. .
This year's winners are:
michael bloomberg
The White House said former three-term New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg “revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed New York City's education, environment, public health and the arts.”
Gregory Boyle
Father Boyle is a Jesuit Catholic priest and the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program, located in Los Angeles.
james clyburn
Congressman Jim Clyburn is a former House Majority Leader and assistant to the House Democratic Party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Clyburn is currently serving his 16th term and has served as South Carolina's U.S. representative since 1993.
elizabeth doll
Elizabeth Dole, a former U.S. senator from North Carolina, served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan and U.S. Secretary of Labor under President George H.W. Bush. She eventually became president of the American Red Cross, a position she held from 1991 until 1999.
Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue was a journalist and television pioneer who created and hosted “The Phil Donahue Show” (later known simply as “Donahue”), the first talk show-style program with audience participation. The show aired on national television for 29 years, starting in 1967 in Dayton, Ohio and ending in 1996 in New York City.
Medgar Evers (posthumous)
Medgar Evers served in World War II and returned home to lead the fight against racism in Mississippi, the White House said. He was murdered in his home at the age of 37, and his wife Marley continued to fight for justice and equality in his name.
al gore
Al Gore is a former vice president, U.S. senator, and congressman. He was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in recognition of his commitment to action on climate change.
Clarence B. Jones
Clarence B. Jones was a prominent civil rights activist and lawyer who helped draft Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech.
john kelly
John Kerry is a former Secretary of State, U.S. senator, and the first presidential special envoy for climate. He also served in the Vietnam War, earning the Silver Star and Bronze Star.
Frank Rothenberg (posthumously)
Frank Lautenberg served five terms in the United States Senate and was New Jersey's longest-serving senator. “He will be remembered for his significant work on environmental protection and consumer safety across many areas,” the White House said.
katie ledecky
Katie Ledecky is one of the most decorated female swimmers in history. She continues her athletic career, winning her 7 gold medals at the Olympics and her 21 gold medals at the World Championships.
Opal Lee
Opal Lee is an educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. In 2021, Lee joined Biden in signing legislation officially making Juneteenth a national holiday.
Ellen Ochoa
Ellen Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman in space and the second female director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Ochoa has so far flown into space four times and logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit.
nancy pelosi
Nancy Pelosi is the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives and has represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 36 years. “She is a staunch defender of democracy, and she has shaped the legislative agenda and priorities of the Democratic Party for decades,” the White House said.
jane rigby
Jane Rigby is an American astrophysicist from Delaware who works at Goddard Space Flight Center and is a senior project scientist on the James Webb Space Telescope.
Teresa Romero
Teresa Romero is president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina woman to become president of a national union in the United States.
judy shepherd
Judy Shepard is the co-founder of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, an organization created in memory of her son, who was murdered in 1998. The foundation operates LGBTQ education, support, and advocacy programs.
Jim Thorpe (posthumously)
Jim Thorpe was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. He went on to play for six seasons in the MLB and six teams in the NFL. He was also a member of an all-American Indian professional basketball team.
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh is an actress known for appearing in several blockbuster films over the past four decades. In 2023, she became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
