Biden Will Present Medal of Freedom to 17 People

By: Richard Huang

On July 3, President Joe Biden will award the nation's highest

civilian honor–the presidential Medal of Freedom–to seventeen

Americans who demonstrate the power of possibilities and embody

the soul of the nation.

The seventeen people include both living and posthumous honorees

from fields ranging from sports to politics, such as Simone Biles and

John McCain.

The presidential award will be presented at the White House on July

7, 2022.

Those who will be awarded by Biden “have overcome significant

obstacles to achieve impressive accomplishments in the arts and

sciences, dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable

among us, and acted with bravery to drive change in their

communities – and across the world – while blazing trails for

generations to come,” The White House said in a statement.

The medal is presented to the people who 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 said.

Simone Biles is the first honoree on the list. “She is the most

decorated American gymnast in history,” says the White House.

“with a combined total of 32 Olympic and World Championship

medals. Biles is also a prominent advocate for athletes’ mental

health and safety, children in the foster care system, and victims of

sexual assault.”

Fred Gray, who is now at 91 years of age, was one of the first black

members of the Alabama State legislature since Reconstruction.

During the Montgomery bus boycott, Gray's leadership and legal

counsel played a crucial role in the successful desegregation of

Montgomery buses.

The fifth person on the list is perhaps the most well-known

entrepreneur in America, Steve Jobs. was the co-founder, chief

executive, and chair of Apple, Inc., CEO of Pixar and held a leading

role at the Walt Disney Company. “His vision, imagination and

creativity led to inventions that have, and continue to, change the

way the world communicates, as well as transforming the computer,

music, film and wireless industries.” The White House commented.

The rest of the 14 people are:

-Sister Simone Campbell

-Julieta García

-Gabrielle Giffords

-Father Alexander Karloutsos

-Khizr Khan

-Sandra Lindsay

-John McCain (posthumous)

-Diane Nash

-Megan Rapinoe

-Alan Simpson

-Richard Trumka (posthumous)

-Wilma Vaught

-Denzel Washington

-Raúl Yzaguirre

Sources:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statementsreleases/2022/07/01/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-thepresidential-medal-of-freedom/

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