Washington – President Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to 19 recipients, including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former Vice President Al Gore and Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky.
The awards will be presented at the White House on Friday.
“These nineteen Americans built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations and businesses that shaped America for the better. They are the pinnacle of leadership in their fields. They consistently demonstrated throughout their careers the power of community, hard work and service.” the White House said in a statement.
It is the second time Mr. Biden has done so awarded with the Presidential Medals of Freedom. The latest round of recipients includes both living and deceased honorees.
The full list of 2024 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients:
Michael Bloombergentrepreneur, philanthropist and three-term mayor of New York City.
Father Gregory J. Boylea Jesuit Catholic priest and founder and director of Homeboy Industries, a gang re-entry and rehabilitation program.
Representative Jim Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina who has served three decades in the House. He previously served as House Majority Leader and Assistant to the Democratic Leader.
Elizabeth Dolewho served as a senator from North Carolina from 2003 to 2009. She also served as Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan, Secretary of Labor under President George HW Bush, and President of the American Red Cross.
Phil Donahuea journalist who pioneered the topic-oriented daytime talk show.
Medgar Wiley Evers is being honored posthumously. he led the fight against segregation in Mississippi after fighting for his country in World War II. He was assassinated at the age of 37 in 1963.
Al Gore. The former vice president won the popular vote in the 2000 presidential election, but conceded the presidency to George W. Bush after a weeks-long battle in Florida. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his work on climate change.
Clarence B. Jonesa renowned civil rights activist and attorney who helped draft Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech.
John Kerry, who was President Barack Obama's secretary of state and special presidential climate envoy under Mr. Biden. He earned a Silver Star and a Bronze Star for his actions during combat in the Vietnam War.
Frank R. Lautenberg is being honored posthumously. The five-term senator from New Jersey is remembered for his work in environmental protection and consumer safety.
Katie Ledecky she has won seven Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship gold medals, making her the most decorated female swimmer in history.
Opal Leean educator and activist who pushed to do June Day is a national holiday.
Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space and the second director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. He has flown into space four times.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California made history in 2007 when she was elected the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. She made history again in 2019 when she was re-elected to the position.
Jane Rigbythe chief scientist of the James Webb Space Telescopethe most powerful telescope ever built.
Teresa Romeropresident of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the United States.
Judy Shepardco-founder of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, an organization created in honor of her gay son who was brutally murdered.
James Francis Thorpe is being honored posthumously. He was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal.
Michelle Yeoh. the actress last year it won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” becoming the first Asian to win the category.
