Biden to award Medal of Freedom to 19 people, including Pelosi, Gore, Ledecky and Bloomberg

President Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals on Friday in a White House ceremony, including Democratic policy advocates such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), former Vice President Al Gore ( D) and Representative Jim Clyburn (DS.C.).

The White House announced the recipients of the medal, which is the nation’s highest civilian honor given to those who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant social, public, or private activities.” ”. efforts.”

Biden will formally award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the honorees during an event at the White House on Friday. Other recipients include actress Michelle Yeoh, Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky and activist Opal Lee.

Check out the full list of this Friday’s honorees:

Old New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D), known for his experience in politics and his vast experience as a businessman. Bloomberg ran a brief and unsuccessful presidential campaign in the 2020 Democratic primaries.

Gregory J. Boylea Catholic Jesuit priest who founded Homeboy Industries, a gang intervention and rehabilitation program based in Los Angeles

Representative Jim Clyburn (DS.C.), a close Biden ally who served for decades in the House, including two terms as House Majority Leader.

Elizabeth Dole, who represented North Carolina in the Senate from 2003-2009. She also previously served as Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor and head of the American Red Cross.

Phil Donahuea media personality whose eponymous daytime talk show was the first to feature audience participation.

Medgar Wiley Evers, an activist who was murdered at age 37 in one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Evers will be honored posthumously.

Former Vice President Al Gore, who was the Democratic nominee for president in 2000 and narrowly lost the Electoral College vote. Since then, Gore has won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to combat climate change.

Clarence B. Jonesa civil rights activist and lawyer who helped write Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

John Kerry, the former senator and former secretary of state. Kerry, who was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004, recently served as Biden’s special envoy for climate issues.

Frank R. Lautenberg, a former five-term senator from New Jersey who led the way on environmental issues and consumer safety. Lautenberg will be honored posthumously.

Katie Ledecky, Olympic swimmer and Maryland native. Ledecky has won seven Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship gold medals by the age of 27.

Opal Lee, an activist and educator who is best known for leading efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. She attended a White House event in 2021 when Biden signed legislation to make June 16 a national holiday.

Ellen Ochoaan astronaut who was the first Hispanic woman in space when she was aboard Discovery in 1993. Ochoa has flown in space four times and is the second woman to serve as director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California), a figure of enormous importance in democratic politics. Pelosi served in the House for nearly 40 years, including as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. She held the gavel during the first half of Biden’s first term, helping guide important pieces of legislation through the House.

Jane Rigby, astronomer and Delaware native. She is the senior project scientist for the James Webb Telescope, which is the most powerful telescope in the world. Biden revealed in 2022 the first color image from the telescope, which offered the deepest view of the universe ever captured.

Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina woman to lead a national union in the United States. Biden has always boasted that he is the most pro-union president in history.

Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, who was attacked and later died from his injuries in one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in United States history. Judy Shepard co-founded a foundation in her son’s name dedicated to protecting LGBTQ people and preventing hate crimes.

Jim Thorpe, a multi-sport athlete who played professional football, baseball and basketball and was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. Thorpe will be honored posthumously.

Michelle Yeohan Oscar-winning actress who in 2023 became the first Asian to win the Oscar for best actress for her work in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”