President Biden on Friday gives the Medal of Freedom to 19 people, including long-time Democratic congressional leaders, saying they are “an amazing group of people.”
“Nineteen amazing people whose unending curiosity, creativity, cleverness, and optimism have maintained belief in a better future,” the president said, with the group sitting next to him at the podium.
Biden discussed each person individually before presenting them with their medals. He mentioned that the medal ceremony is one of his favorite events at the White House, and shared that former President John F. Kennedy created the Medal of Freedom award 61 years ago.
The recipients included former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), former Vice President Al Gore (D), and Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.).
Biden particularly acknowledged Clyburn, whose support before the Democratic South Carolina primary is largely credited with Biden ultimately winning the nomination in 2020.
“I would not be standing here as president, giving these awards, if not for Jim,” Biden said. “Jim is the best, thank you.”
The president praised Pelosi for what he described as defending democracy on Jan. 6, 2021 and said that history will remember her as the greatest Speaker in the House of Representatives.
Biden pointed out that Gore won the popular vote “but accepted the outcome of the presidential election for the sake of unity and trust in our institutions,” in what seemed to be a jab at former President Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results in which he lost to Biden.
Other recipients included actor Michelle Yeoh, Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky, activist Opal Lee, and former Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).
Biden mentioned that Ledecky has won 10 Olympic medals and added, “I can’t wait to welcome you back to the White House with more medals for Team USA” after the Paris Olympics this summer.
Additionally, the recipients included former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D), Gregory J. Boyle, a Jesuit Catholic priest who founded Homeboy Industries, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), and media personality Phil Donahue.
He said Bloomberg has “transformed our economy” and “changed us and challenged us as well.”
Of Donahue, Biden said: “He helped change attitudes and opinions through honest and open conversation.”
“I wish you were still speaking there, pal.”
He also honored civil rights activist Clarence B. Jones, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, astronomer Jane Rigby, Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers, and Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, who was attacked and later died of his injuries in one of the most infamous anti-gay hate crimes in U.S. history.
Biden said Romero improved the lives of thousands of farm workers” and someone who “shows us what it means to be a champion of dignity of work.”
Posthumously, Biden honored civil rights activist Medgar Wiley Evers, an activist who was murdered in 1963, former Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), and Jim Thorpe, a multi-sport athlete who was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal.
