Biden Awards 19 Americans With Presidential Medal of Freedom

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to 19 individuals who have made “exemplary contributions” to the country.

“President Biden often says there is nothing beyond our capacity when we act together,” the White House said in a statement announcing the list of recipients. The awards were set to be presented on May 3.

These 19 individuals “have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” the White House stated.

The president awarded the medal posthumously to civil rights activist Medgar Wiley Evers, who fought for the country in World War II; New Jersey’s longest-serving senator, Frank R. Lautenberg; and athlete Jim Thorpe, who is the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal.

The list of recipients included former Vice President Al Gore, who won most popular votes in the 2000 presidential election but was defeated by his Republican opponent, George Bush, in the electoral college votes.

Read Full Article Here