The recipients of the president ial medal of freedom, michael r bloomberg. Gregory j boyle. James e clyburn. Elizabeth doyle feared phil donahue. Elizabeth doyle. Odonoghue. Rena everts accepting on behalf of matt gertz wiley everts. Al gore. There is clarence b jones. John forbes kerry. Bonnie lautenberg, accepting on behalf of frank r lautenberg. Kathleen genevieve becky. Opal lee. Ellen ochoa. Nancy pelosi. Jane rigby. Teresa romero. Judy shepard. Gail lynn hannon accepting on behalf of of francis thorpe. James francis thorpe. And, michelle yo. Michelle yeoh. Distinguished guests, the president of the United States. Please, have a seat. I told my buddy john kerry for the first two years i would hear hail to the chief i would look around like, where is he . Its great to see you all. Thank you for being here at one of our favorite events at the white house. 61 years ago president kennedy established the president ial medal of freedom to recognize any person who made an especially meritorious contribution to the security and National Interest of the United States or world of peach, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors. The first class of medal recipients included the great eb white. Years after receiving the metal he received a letter for someone that asked how he maintained faith in humanity and he replied relentless curiosity and inventive ingenuity have led to deep trouble. You can only hope that these same traits will enable us to claw our way out. Hang onto your hats. Hang onto your hope. Wind the clock. Tomorrow is another day. Today we have another extraordinary honor to bestow on 19 incredible people whose relentless curiosity, inventiveness, ingenuity, and hope of cap faith in kept faith in a better tomorrow. We see that in father greg boyle who has changed countless lives as the. When i was a kid they always said we would go to jesuit colleges. Thank god. [applause] that is what my staff hates me doing, adlibbing. Your service spans four decades and reminds us of the power of redemption, rehabilitation, and our obligation towards those that have been condemned or counted out. Thank you, father greg, for your amazing grace. Some of you today, i know from personal experience that you wish you never had to be at an event like this. Judy shepard, it has been 25 years since we last spoke to your beloved matthew. Your husband dennis is here as well. The brutal murder of your son galvanized the movement and lead to a law in his name protecting lgbtq americans. Your bid let this advocacy is a reminder we must give say hate no safe harbor and out we can turn pain into significant purpose. You have done that. Thank you. [applause] today we honor medgar everts, and army veteran who worked tirelessly to end segregation in mississippi, and to deliver the promise of america to all americans, a patriot gunned down by the poison of White Supremacy , but his spirit endures. Joining us is his daughter rena, who was just eight years old when she walked out and saw her daddy in the driveway. He was taken from her four days before fathers day. She shares on behalf of her family and her mother mary lim who was unable to attend it to travel today. I want to thank her for her work to seek justice and for forging her own civil rights legacy. In 2021 i signed what are the most important laws i do my presidency making juneteenth the first new federal holiday since dr. Martin luther king jr. Day. Ms. Opal lee is a grandmother of the movement that helped make that possible. Juneteenth is a day of profound weight and power to remember the original sin of slavery and the extraordinary capacity to merge the most painful moments with a better vision of ourselves. Opal lee made it her mission to make history, not embrace it and we are a better nation because of that. Thank you. [applause] born in philadelphia, a credit to our democracy dr. Clarence b jones wielded the pen as the sword gave life to a movement generating freedom for millions. A speechwriter and lawyer for dr. King, he helped define enduring ideas included in the dream that will be forever engraved in america. Letting freedom reign, dr. Clarence b jones. Thank you, dr. Jones. [applause] before social media and click beta news, phil donahue broadcast the power of personal stories in living rooms across america. He helped change hearts and minds to honest and open dialogue over the course of a defining career in television through thousands of daily conversations. Phil donahue stared at the National Discourse and spoke to our better angels. I wish you were still speaking there, pal. [applause] from finance to media to philanthropy Michael Bloomberg has revolutionized our economy. He transformed how we consume information. He has changed us. He has challenged us as well to solve the toughest challenges from gun violence to Climate Change and as mayor he will bolt he rebuilt the city of new york after 9 11 showing our resilience as a nation as a beacon to the world. Thank you, mr. Mayor. [applause] i first met katie. Through hard work and humility she has won 10 olympic medals and 21 World Championship titles becoming the greatest female swimmer of all time. She continues to compete in the olympics at age 27, which some say it is too old for swimming. 27. Do not let age get in your way, i mean. Katie ledecki, ledecky, i cant wait to welcome you back to the white house with more medals for team usa. Jim thorpe, a oneofakind champion. I grew up in scranton, pennsylvania hearing from my grandpa. His name was ambrose finnigan. He was an allamerican at santa clara playing football in 1905. I always grew up hearing about jim thorpe. I am serious. As not just the greatest ball player by the greatest athlete of all time. He talked about him all the time. In 1912 he became the first native american athlete to win an olympic gold medal. He set World Records in to the decathlon and was a professional football, baseball, and basketball player. He showcased unparalleled athleticism, crossing into racial barriers and the power of perseverance, shear will, and a determination. Thank you to jims oldest living grandchild for accepting this metal on his behalf. [applause] i used to go to sleep in scranton thinking, i wish i could be him. Incredible. Anyway. I will get carried away here. For most of the American Dream to be successful, in what ever and you choose on earth, for dr. Ellen ochoa it is a dream from the heavens, her dream from the heavens. The granddaughter of mexican immigrants ellen is the first hispanic woman to go to space, ushering in a new age of space exploration. And approving what it means for every generation to dream, to reach for the stars come and get there. You are getting there, kid. Thank you so much. [applause] dr. Janet rigby, the daughter of my home state of delaware, i might add. She is not the only person receiving this metal. Its not just because she is from delaware. She is a groundbreaking astrophysicist in charge of the most powerful telescope ever launched into space. Did you ever see some of the images . They are breathtaking. Millions of lightyears away. She is a longtime advocate of inclusivity in the sciences. By piecing together everything she has done and by making sure that the grand story of the universe and unlocking the secrets of the galaxy, dr. Rigby sparks a sense of wonder deep in ourselves. You want to see the photographs. Some of those telescopes. It is mindboggling to me. For embodying the American Dream and helping americans which there is also, i want to honor a good friend of mine that is not here today. And army veteran from new jersey, the longest serving senator that i served with. Frank is remembered as a tireless advocate for consumers in Public Health and safety. Bonnie, thank you for being here to except the metal on his behalf. Grace embodies an essential truth about america. We are a nation of immigrants where everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. She made her she made life better for thousands of farmworkers putting food on our table, all of them. Protecting them from extreme heat, securing overtime pay, she shows what it means to be a champion for dignified work. When i ran the first time in 1972, the u. S. Senate, she was organizing farmworkers in the state of delaware. Guess what . I won. Thank you for all you do. Over four decades, and on and off the screen, Michelle Yeoh has shattered stereotypes and glass ceilings to enrich and enhance American Culture. Herbals transcend gender, culture, and languages. From marshall martial arts to science fiction, to show us what we all have in common. As the first age and ask her to win an oscar as best actress she bridges cultures not only to entertain, but inspire and open hearts. Thats huge. Congratulations. [applause] another inspiration, not just to me, but to bob dole was Elizabeth Dole. You are trail a trailblazer, the first woman in nearly every Public Service you held over four decades serving in the u. S. Senate. She is a fierce advocate for military families and their caregivers. She is a true partner and her beloved bob was a dear friend i miss dearly. He was a friend come as you know. I love him. Thank you. [applause]. Elizabeth, a significant debt of gratitude. Throughout a defining career in Public Service, this guy, al gore has demonstrated a love of country and showed the world how to lead. I worked with al gore when he was a senator and when he was Vice President. After winning the popular vote he accepted the outcome of the president ial election for the sake of unity and trust in our institutions. That, to me, was amazing what you did. I wont go into that. Als has continued to serve by leading a Global Movement to fight climate crisis, earning him a nobel prize in 2007. [applause]. Al, we will remember you for many reasons. Among them will be your honesty, integrity, and the legacy of your services. Thank you. [applause] i have served and worked closely as senator and Vice President and then as president with this guy, john. John kerry. [applause] we were friends when he was secretary of state. In my administration he led efforts across the globe as the First Special president ial envoy for climate. Throughout six decades of service to the nation, john, as a soldier, senator, statement, john kerry was a patriot of the highest order. I can personally attest that my dear friend has as much moral courage in his pursuit of american politics as he did physical courage earning him a silver star in vietnam. You are the real deal john, the real deal, pal. [applause] the last two guards should both be standing here at this podium. The bold daughter of a congressman and mayor of baltimore. Nancy pelosi grew up knowing the power of purpose in politics, a historic figure as the first woman speaker and health representative, she used her superpowers to pass some of the most significant laws in our nations history. On january 6 nancy stood in the breach and it defended a democracy with her husband paul. They stood up to extremism with absolute physical courage. Nancy is a brilliant tactical, principal leader. Her accomplishments are overwhelming. I predict, and i have said this for a while, history will remember nancy as of the greatest speaker of the house of representatives. [applause] we have had great speakers, nancy, but i love you, kid. You are the best. If america ever ceases to be good, america will cease to be great. That is one of jim clyburns favorite quotes. Always grounded in faith, family, and service, jim has guided South Carolina and our country with a steady hand over the last halfcentury. I can say this without fear of contradiction. I would not be standing here as president making these awards if not for jim. I mean this sincerely. Neither of us would be standing here without Emily Clyburn, a woman of enormous character that we all miss. We are a great nation, because we have people like jim and Emily Clyburn and our honorees today, all of them. My fellow americans, jim is the best. Thank you. [applause] what i had to keep doing when writing these introductions is make them shorter and shorter and shorter because there is so much more to say about each of them. But we would be here for 12 hours. As you all enough but you all know how incredible they are, an Incredible Group of people. Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow americans, i congratulate the president ial medal recipients and their families. I will make sure we provide the president ial metals and put them around your necks. Thank you very much. Michael r bloomberg. [applause] from the son of a bookkeeper and secretary to a visionary Business Leader and public servant, Michael Bloomberg epitomizes american industry and innovation. Revolutionized the Financial Information industry with the bloomberg terminal and Bloomberg News modernized to the way information is reported and received by the public. As a three term mayor of new york city transform schools, transportation, Public Health, and more. As of the, his contribution on everything from gun safety to Climate Change remind us of our responsibility to our communities, our country, and the world. [[applause] gregory j boyle. [applause] inspired by his jesuit teachers, father greg boyle has dedicated his life to healing and hope. As a young priest assigned to one of los angeless most underserved parishes he founded homeaway industries, now the largest gang rehabilitation and Reentry Program in the world that has helped thousands of angelenos turned their lives around, connecting them to jobs, counseling, and a warmhearted community where all are welcomed and cherished. Answering jesuss call to serve father greg is a testament to americas enduring grace. [applause] james e clyburn. [applause] the son of a South Carolina preacher, jim clyburn is a beacon of moral clarity, a graduate of South Carolina state university, there is a student of history became a teacher and Movement Leader for a more fair and more free america. His dignity and decency are suppressed only by the love shared with his dear emily who marched with him and often ahead of him from classroom to congress. Through three decades in the house of representatives, he has transformed the lives of millions of americans bypassing groundbreaking laws for all our families. Jim clyburn is touched by the divine and his margin brings us closer to a more perfect union. [ applause]] Elizabeth Dole. [applause] a singular trailblazer, Elizabeth Dole was the first woman to hold nearly every position she has had. Over four decades in Public Service she served as the secretary of transportation, secretary of labor, president of the american red cross, and senator from north carolina. She established a preeminent foundation dedicated to and supporting American Military caregivers. Elizabeth dole paved the path for millions of americans to serve with honor and dignity. [applause] [applause] phil donahue. [laughter] from an Irish Catholic roots in cleveland, phil donahue rose to transform television and reshape the national conversation. Over 29 years, nearly 7000 episodes, and 20 enemies, he pioneered 20 emmys he pioneered the live daytime talk show, interviewing everybody from our greatest stars to our forgotten neighbors uniting us around the toughest issues of our time. Insatiably curious and excepting he saw every guest as worthy of interest and worked to build understanding, bringing us to see each other not as enemies, but fellow americans. [applause] [applause] rena everts accepting on behalf of of metzger everts medgar evers. Medgar evers was willing to face death to give america a new life. An army soldier, he fought for Freedom Abroad during world war ii. At the height of the Civil Rights Movement he was a crusading lawyer fighting for equality at home im the investigating lynchings, organizing voter drives, and dismantling school segregation. The life he chose to live and the risks he took to do right is a reminder of the history he made and are charged to keep. In a life cut too short, his legacy casts a ray of light on our quest to redeem the soul of our nation. [applause] al gore. [applause] over a lifetime of service, al gore has been an Army Serviceman , senator, Vice President , president ial nominee, and visionary climate statesmen. In a historic act of selflessness and love for country he accepted the outcome a of a disputed election for the sake of unity and democracy. Through his Nobel Peace Prize winning leadership he inspires millions to confront the existential threat of Climate Change. He is a model of american resilience. He proves that what matters most is the courage to take on a cause bigger than ourselves. [applause] clarence b jones. [applause] the philadelphia son of Domestic Workers and a former foster child he became the wordsmiths for a movement. He was an army soldier on the front lines in the battlefield. And a civil rights law youre on the front lines of the courtroom. Wise and unflinching, Clarence Jones lyrical prose and prophetic life shows us the enduring power of the idea of america. An advisor and speechwriter to dr. Martin luther king jr. , he helped write a new american declaration to ensure we hold these truths to be selfevident is forever linked with i have a dream. [applause] [laughter] [applause] john thorpe kerry. [applause] john kerrys Public Service expands the seven decades and the seven continents. He demonstrated courage fighting in a war and equal courage fighting against it. A decorated naval officer that volunteered for combat he made peace for the country he fought on the battlefield. Elected five times to the senate by the people of massachusetts, he was the Democratic Party president ial nominee and came within one state of victory. The son of a foreign officer the son of a foreign officer, diplomacy is in his dna. As a secretary of state, he worked for peace, negotiated arms control, and forged the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change. He built on that work as the first ever special president ial envoy for climate. His bold, relentless Public Service reflects his enduring belief in america where our best days are still to come. [applause] [applause] Bonnie Lundberg accepting on behalf of frank r lundberg. [applause] frank altenburg was a patriot of frank altenburg enlisted in the army at 18 and served in europe during world war ii. After graduating college on the g. I. Bill, he built and ran one of the worlds most Successful Software companies. He later become new jerseys longestserving senator. As a strong advocate for consumer protection, the environment, and a safe transportation, he took on the danger of Secondhand Smoke and fought for health care for People Living with hiv aids. When history called, Frank Lautenberg answered. Opal lee. [applause] two years after president lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, freedom for enslaved americans was finally enforced in galveston, texas marking the nations first juneteenth. In the same town, opal lee was born six decades later. Growing up in a home that was burned down by a racist mob, she understood history must never be erased. A teacher and advocate, she helped lead a movement with the National Juneteenth observance foundation. More than 150 years after that day, she stood next to another american president that followed her lead and made a juneteenth a federal holiday. The nation thanks opal lee, the grandmother of juneteenth. [applause] kathleen genevieve ledecky. A humble leader, olympian, and a champion of unparalleled dedication that she is the most decorated female swimmer in history. [applause] with 10 olympic medals and counting. An athletic prodigy from a swimming family she captured the worlds admiration with her punishing strokes and unmatched stamina, pushing through and is setting the highest standards for some of the toughest races ever known. Powered by faith, family, and teamwork Katie Ledecky is a symbol of perseverance and strength with a heart of gold that shines for the nation and world. [applause] [laughter] [applause] ellen ochoa. [applause] a granddaughter of mexican immigrants, ellen ochoa lived up to their dreams that anything is possible in america. The first in her family to go to college, she became a groundbreaking aeronautical engineer, inventor, and astronaut on her way to becoming the first hispanic woman to travel to space. In addition to nearly 1000 hours in orbit, she is the second woman to serve as is the director of nasas renowned a Johnson Space center. A bill of a trailblazer and mentor, dr. Ochoa continues to inspire people around the world to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams. [applause] nancy pelosi. [applause] after raising five children with her beloved husband, paul, and leading to the california Democratic Party nancy pelosi became san franciscos tireless champion in congress. As the first woman speaker of the house that she has shepherded some of our nations most consequential laws by keeping coalitions together and standing with set up to president s of both parties. [ laughter]] her resolve on january 6, 2021 helped guide america through one of our darkest days. For her efforts to protect freedom and democracy, nancy pelosi will be known forever as the greatest speaker of the house in American History. [applause] [applause] jane rigby. [applause] a daughter of the great state of delaware, jane rigbys passion for astronomy began as a child peering at the stars through a small telescope in a soybean field. Following her instincts and imagination, she has become a pioneering astrophysicist now managing the james webb space telescope, the most powerful telescope ever launched into space. A brilliant, prolific author, dr. Rigby is an inspiration and tireless champion for the lgbtqi plus community in both her professional and public life. She reminds us to never lose our sense of wonder, hope, and spirit of adventure as americans. [applause] Teresa Romero. [applause] a trailblazing labor leader, Teresa Romero is a champion for farmworkers across the fields, orchards, and vineyards of america that feed our nation. Born in mexico, she has built an American Life and in service to others, standing up for one of our most vulnerable, yet essential, groups of workers giving them the voice, hope, and inspiration to push for change. With grace under fire, her fight for safe working conditions, fair pay, and a path to citizenship is bringing us closer to realizing the full promise of america as a nation of immigrants. [applause] [applause] judy shepard. [applause] judy shepard took a mothers most profound pain and turned her sons death into a movement. Matthew shepards death together with her husband, dennis, their courageous advocacy has driven tremendous progress in our laws and culture, giving young people and their families strength and hope for the future. The familys compassion reflects the best of america, where everyone is equally deserving of dignity and respect. [applause] gail hannon accepting on behalf of James Francis thorpe. [applause] jim thorpe was the countrys original Multisport Athlete and one of the greatest stars in American History. A member of the nation, he embodied his given name, bright path, and became the first native american to win an olympic gold medal. He won the metal in the decathlon and capture the publics awe as a professional athlete. He demonstrated moral courage time and time again as he overcame bigotry. Jim thorpes story reminds us of enduring contributions of tribal history to American History and the ongoing work of healing the soul of our nation. [applause] Michelle Yeoh. [laughter] [applause] Michelle Yeoh is one of the most acclaimed actresses of our time. For four decades, she has faced and shattered stigma and stereotypes in a groundbreaking career, becoming the first asian to win the Academy Award for best actress. Her efforts to advance gender equality, conservation issues and Global Health have been felt around the world. Equal parts performer and pioneer, Michelle Yeoh continues to enrich American Culture and inspires us to believe in possibilities on the big screen and beyond. [applause] i tell you what. It makes you proud to be an american, doesnt it . [applause] lets give one more round of applause for this years president ial medal of freedom winners. [applause] distinguished guests, please remain in your seats until the president , the Vice President , and the middle of freedom recipients have departed the east room. Host this is washington journal for saturday, may 4. Campus protests continued this week