Joe Biden has awarded 19 stars from various fields including politics, economics, sports, and entertainment, one of the country's highest honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 16 days before his departure as US president.
Biden presented the medals to the recipients or their representatives, including former US Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton, at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Saturday. According to Reuters, popular soccer star Lionel Messi also accepted the award. However, he could not come to the venue in person due to his schedule.
Among these distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to American society, politics, economics and other sectors are the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the late George Romney, father of former Senator Mitt Romney, liberal politician and billionaire George Soros, media executive and cultural figure Anna Wintour, musician Bono, actor Michael J. Fox, basketball legend Irvin Johnson (known as Magic), and investor David M. Rubenstein.
Other notable recipients include software entrepreneur Tim Gill, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, television personality Bill Nye known as “The Science Guy,” World Central Kitchen founder and CEO Jose Andres, the late former Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter, primatologist Jane Goodall, human rights activist Fannie Lou Hammer, American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr., and actor Denzel Washington.
In a statement yesterday about the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House said, “The individuals receiving the honor are being recognized for taking America forward. President Biden believes that great leaders stand firm in their beliefs, give everyone due respect, and prioritize good behavior above all else.”
The statement added, “Each of these 19 people is a good leader who has taken America forward. They are good leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to our country and the world.”
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