Obama Honors “Agents of Change”
EmailABC News’ Sarah Tobianski reports: President Obama put briefly on hold his quest for health care reform to honor sixteen “agents of change” with the Medal of Freedom today, the country’s highest civilian award.
“At a moment when cynicism and doubt too often prevail; when our obligations to one another are too often forgotten; when the road ahead can seem too long or hard to tread, these extraordinary men and women, these agents of change, remind us that excellence is not beyond our abilities, that hope lies around the corner, and that justice can still be won in the forgotten corners of this world,” President Obama said.
The Medal of Freedom was created by an Executive Order signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, after receiving overwhelming support in public polling.
President Kennedy’s brother, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D – Mass.), was awarded the medal today but couldn’t accept it in person out of respect of the recent passing of his sister, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver. The award was accepted by his daughter, Kara Kennedy, who had tears in her eyes after accepting the award.
President Obama gave special mention to his friend and political ally by saying the ailing Senator’s life has made a difference to everyone.
The President said Kennedy’s work has made a difference for people from every walk of life.
“For that soldier fighting for freedom, that refugee looking for a way home, that senior searching for dignity, that worker striving for opportunity, that student aspiring to college, that family reaching for the American dream,” President Obama said.
President Obama also placed the medal around the necks of Stephen Hawking – “His work in theoretical physics, which I will not attempt to explain further here…” – and Sandra Day O’Connor – who upon graduation, could only find work as a legal secretary.
“I cannot know how she would have fared as a legal secretary, but she made a mighty fine justice of the United States Supreme Court,” President Obama said.
The President also paid special tribute to the barriers broken down by minority communities by bestowing the medal to Sidney Poitier, Chita Rivera, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow and Reverend Joseph Lowery, who lead the prayer at President Obama’s inauguration.
President Obama couldn’t pass up the chance to poke fun at Rivera’s full name.
“Delores Concita Figueroa del Rivero knows the adversity that comes with a difficult name,” the President said. “I can relate.”
The most controversial of the bunch was Mary Robinson, the first woman elected president of Ireland. Despite opposition from the Jewish community about her reported animus toward Israel, the White House felt she deserved her award.
“Today, as an advocate for the hungry and the hunted, the forgotten and the ignored, Mary Robinson has not only shone a light on human suffering, but illuminated a better future for our world,” President Obama said.
Two awards – to gay rights activist Harvey Milk and to football legend and former Republican U.S. Congressman Jack Kemp – were awarded posthumously.
In attendance were friends and family members of the recipients, White House staff, and First Lady Michelle Obama, who – just five hours after her last event – wore a different outfit.
The Medal of Freedom ranks second to only the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award. The award, which can also be awarded with distinction, is “given only after careful thought, always sparingly so as not to debase its currency,” according to White House records. At the end of the Bush administration, 300 recipients have been awarded the honor. The President makes his selections based on recommendations of staff and nominations sent in.
Each recipient receives a certificate signed by the president, a walnut presentation case, and the medal itself — a five-pointed white star set on a red pentagon.
-Sarah Tobianski
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C’mon Obama, where’s the award for William Ayers??
You know you want to!
Posted by: Community Agitator | August 12, 2009, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
What a national disgrace, awarding a medal to Ted Kennedy for killing Mary Jo Kopechne.
Ran away from the accident and didn’t report it until the next day even though there was a house 100 yards away. Of course he had no driver’s license, paid off the Kopechne family and got little more than a slap on the wrist.
Did I mention that his wife was pregnant at the time!
Barack Obama – repaying Kennedy for his endrosement during primary. Obama has no shame!
Posted by: Fred C Dobbs | August 12, 2009, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
A standard photo-op about as controversial as naming a post office that has been done by every President since JFK. Lets see how the Right works this up for their Two Minute Hate.
Posted by: jhw539 | August 12, 2009, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
“For that soldier fighting for freedom, that refugee looking for a way home, that senior searching for dignity, that worker striving for opportunity, that student aspiring to college, that family reaching for the American dream…”
For rescuing a drowning woman after a car crash…
Posted by: Mary Jo | August 12, 2009, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
ONE POLITICAL HACK GIVING A METAL TO ANOTHER POLITICAL HACK – PROFOUND! THIS MAN IS TRYING TO MAKE US INTO A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. USING A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD AS A PLANT TO PROMOTE HIS LOSER HEALTH CARE PROGRAM. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB!!! I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NEW OBAMA TACTIC IS LESS ABOUT THE BILL ITSELF, WHICH HE IS LOSING BADLY, BUT NOW THE WORD IS TO MAKE THE those protesting the gov health bill into come kind of weirdos and monsters. The lady who made the “sleeping giant” comment was right on. Apparently, Obama has done a poor job of evaluating the opposition and calling them losers will only make it worse – NOT TOO BRIGHT, NO?
Posted by: Manitu | August 12, 2009, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm
Intererestingly, he totallly screwed up the stats on tennis great Billie Jean King. She thought it was “adorable.” I don’t — his staff can’t even get something like the number of her Grand Slam wins right? they weren’t even in the ballpark!
But we’re supposed to trust his word and judgment on the economy, health care, etc…. No, I don’t think so.
Posted by: liz | August 12, 2009, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm
C’mon commenters, I know you have more impotent rage for Obama than that.
Posted by: Cru | August 12, 2009, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
“What a national disgrace, awarding a medal to Ted Kennedy for killing Mary Jo Kopechne.”
You see how their brains work? Cause and effect is completely amiss with them. The medal was awarded for nothing more than murder to them. The rest of reality just doesn’t factor in, how curious a behavior as this..
Posted by: Shrug | August 12, 2009, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
“You see how their brains work? Cause and effect is completely amiss with them. The medal was awarded for nothing more than murder to them. The rest of reality just doesn’t factor in, how curious a behavior as this.”
Leaving someone to die and then trying to cover it up usually disqualifies you for being awarded the Medal of Freedom.
Posted by: Aqualung | August 12, 2009, 8:10 pm 8:10 pm
DURING THE COLD WAR, THOSE RUNNING THE USSR WERE GENERALLY CONSIDERED “THE MASTERS OF DECEIT.” A BOOK BY THE SAME NAME CAME OUT IN THOSE LATTER YEARS, EXPOSING THE TECHNIQUES OF THE BAD GUYS. BUT, THEY SURE COULD HAVE TAKEN LESSONS FROM OBAMA. PLANTING A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD TO PROMOTE HIS HEALTH CARE PROGRAM. STATING THAT AARP HAD ENDORSED HIS HEALTH PLAN, WHICH IT HAD NOT. EVEN THOUGH HIS “LIES” WERE EXPOSED RIGHT AWAY, THE DAMAGE WAS DONE AND NO DOUBT MANY PEOPLE BOUGHT IT.
Posted by: Temagami | August 12, 2009, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
We can only hope that as this was the only “payoff” to the Kennedy by Obama. Kennedys, as you know, helped Obama beat Clinton.
In the speech Obama talked about some “beach” that Kennedy was on to earn this medal? It wasn’t Inchon, because he was serving in France during the Korean War due to his lineage. So was the “beach” in question the infamous beach at the Kennedy Compound oft mentioned during that rape trial? Or a beach near Chappaquiddick Island? I’m sure Teddy did some good work, between being wined&dined by K-Street or paid by taxpayers. He was there for DECADES. I’m sure he managed some thing good, though I can’t bring it to mind. But a “medal of freedom”? There weren’t more qualified people, Obama? (Or was the the payoff?)
Posted by: Ed | August 12, 2009, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm
Aw, Ted gets a medal near the 40th anniversary of Mary Jo Kopechne’s death at Chappaquiddick.
And, Mary Robinson who presided over the notorious U.N. World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa which dripped with anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric.
Awesome. Really creepy and telling picks President O.
Posted by: Left wing is the new right wing | August 12, 2009, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
Awarding a medal to Mary Robinson is outrageous. She presided over the infamous UN conference on racism in Durban at which Israel was the only target for criticism. In fact, Israeli Arabs live far better lives than the black Muslims of Darfur do under an Arab Muslim government. Bad move, Mr. President.
Posted by: graniteman | August 12, 2009, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
By the way, it’s good to have you back on the TV news, Jake. ABC News must have sent you to Siberia for a few months after the November election because you actually asked a few questions about candidate Obama during the campaign.
Posted by: graniteman | August 12, 2009, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm
God help him.
Posted by: debt reduction | August 12, 2009, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
FYI…..Sheila Jackson Lee is having her town hall right now here in Houston and just said that illegals have rights and that there is no language that would exclude any from health care.The crowd shouts BOO.
Posted by: KMDay | August 12, 2009, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm
I cannot believe Obama left Bill Ayers off the list.
There’s always next year.
Hey, how about Karl Marx in a posthumous honor?
Posted by: drjohn | August 12, 2009, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm
Is Obama so arrogant that he assumes everyone will just accept whatever he says? How hard is it for this joke of an administration to do alittle research?
He totally botched Billie Jean’s records.
She was gracious but there is no excuse for being such amateurs.
Reminds me of the classless gifts he gave world leaders and a total lack of protocol.
Posted by: larry | August 12, 2009, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm
Sometime before Obama leaves office, when it is safe, Rev Wright will get some kind of award, or at least an invite to the WH–and he won’t have to hide in the basement!!
Posted by: nick | August 12, 2009, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
KMDay:”Sheila Jackson Lee is having her town hall right now here in Houston and just said that illegals have rights and that there is no language that would exclude any from health care.”
Illegals have rights? Oh, the humanity! We all know They should be rounded up and shipped off as some sort of final solution to the whole problem. If only we could find some fanatical screaming mob to do the job.
Posted by: jhw539 | August 12, 2009, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm
President Obama gave special mention to his friend and political ally by saying the ailing Senator’s life has made a difference to everyone.
___________________
Especially the family of Mary Jo Kopechne!
Posted by: jana | August 13, 2009, 12:59 am 12:59 am
Internal Memo Confirms Big Giveaways In White House Deal With Big Pharma
Where’s the story ABC?
Speaking of “agent of change”… what a pity it is to witness the voters of Obama getting their hopes and dreams dashed in 6 months. It just keeps getting worse..
All that ‘transparency’, ‘hope’ and inspiration Obama promised you people in his campaign, was just a chicago politician working his magic.. Obama is nothing but a LIAR.
Posted by: mjl | August 13, 2009, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
And yet again Tapper just manages to skip over the fact about the statements Tutu made regarding Israel and how Anti-Israel he along with Robinson are. Good job Tapper/ABC, Obama is pleased.
Posted by: Waterboard Botox Pelosi | August 13, 2009, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
“..Sheila Jackson Lee is having her town hall right now here in Houston and just said that illegals have rights and that there is no language that would exclude any from health care.”
I know the right wing considers illegal immigrants to be subhumans in line with their views on racial superiority but they do in fact have rights as human beings.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 13, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm