Civil rights veteran Joseph Lowery, anti-apartheid activist Desmond Tutu, and medical school dean Pedro Jose Greer are among 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced Thursday.
“These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds,” President Barack Obama said. “ Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way.
“Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive. It is my great honor to award them the Medal of Freedom.”
President Obama will present the awards at a ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The Recipients are:
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