KENNEDY - HARVEY MILK - HAWKING - TUTU - & MORE: Recieve 2009 Presidential Medal of FREEDOM

[kpete]

Kennedy gets highest civilian honor
Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor July 30, 2009 12:20 PM

Senator Edward M. Kennedy received another high honor today, courtesy of President Obama.

The longtime Massachusetts senator is one of 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. It is awarded to individuals who "make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public, or private endeavors," the White House said, and "this year’s awardees were chosen for their work as agents of change."

UPDATE: Kennedy issued a statement of thanks:

“I am profoundly grateful to President Obama for this extraordinary honor. My life has been committed to the ideal of public service which President Kennedy wanted the Medal of Freedom to represent. To receive it from another President who prizes that same ideal of service and inspires so many to serve is a great privilege that moves me deeply.”

Kennedy's award citation reads: "Senator Edward M. Kennedy has served in the United States Senate for forty-six years, and has been one of the greatest lawmakers – and leaders – of our time. From reforming our public schools to strengthening civil rights laws and supporting working Americans, Senator Kennedy has dedicated his career to fighting for equal opportunity, fairness and justice for all Americans. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that every American has access to quality and affordable health care, and has succeeded in doing so for countless children, seniors, and Americans with disabilities. He has called health care reform the “cause of his life,” and has championed nearly every health care bill enacted by Congress over the course of the last five decades. Known as the “Lion of the Senate,” Senator Kennedy is widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his commitment to progress and his ability to legislate."

more:
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/07/kennedy_gets_hi.html

UPDATE 2:

Obama will present the medals on Aug. 12. Other recipients include Nobel-winning physicist Stephen Hawking, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the late congressman and housing secretary Jack Kemp, anti-apartheid leader Desmond Tutu, tennis legend and activist Billie Jean King, civil rights leaders Joseph Lowery, gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk, and actors Sidney Poitier and Chita Rivera.

FULL LIST:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Names-Medal-of-Freedom-Recipients/

...................
and a reminder

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/30/obama-medal-freedom/

[rfranklin]

1. Go Teddy!

I remember when he was a young whippersnapper!

[Recursion]

2. Nevermind

You fixed it already...

[kpete]

3. freedom

all right!!!

[MADem]

4. It is a good list, and in such sharp contrast to the largely second rate lists of Porgie.

[MNDemNY]

5. What about Cheney? When does he get his medal?

[George II]

7. His "medal" is going to be irons - leg irons to be specific!

[George II]

6. This is an excellent group of across-the-board recipients:

It represents a full cross section of Americans (as well as international dignitaries), each of which could not possibly be disputed, unlike those of Obama's predecessor.

Funny thing, and thanks very much for posting (this is no slam on you whatsoever) - we have a wonderful list of humanitarians here, but I don't see it on the DU home page and sad that it only has 4 other responses so far. Too bed this upbeat and positive OP isn't found among the majority of negatives on DU's opening page.

Sad, but thanks very much for posting it - I already had my post prepared in case no one had gotten around to talking about these people.

[mzmolly]

8. K and R

:toast: to our beloved Senator.

[rurallib]

9. Okay - Kennedy made me cry with his statement.

What a group. Real leaders each one of whom put others first (well most of the time).
I have been a huge fan of Billie Jean from th start. She really really put it all on the line. As did Tutu. What can you say about Milk? Jack Kemp was a good man. O'Connor breaks the old man's club. And for goodness sake- Hawking. Portier and Rivera - what great choices! And Lowrey seldom gets the credit he is due.