Henry "Hank" Aaron
A sports legend, Hank Aaron not only set baseballs
all-time home-run record, but tore down racial barriers in the process.
He played the game with extraordinary grace and skill despite
encountering chilling discrimination, and he blazed a trail to baseballs
front office for other African Americans. A staunch civil rights
advocate and a champion of underprivileged children, Hank Aaron has
shown us the thrill of victory and the importance of giving every
American an equal opportunity to strive for it.
Muhammad Ali
The most celebrated boxer in history and a devoted social activist,
Muhammad Ali continues to inspire us. Truly the "greatest of all time,"
Ali dominated boxing for two decades, winning an Olympic gold medal and
becoming a three-time heavyweight champion of the world. With equal
tenacity, through his advocacy for peace, tolerance, and compassion, he
challenges our Nation to strive for equality and justice for all,
earning our deepest respect and gratitude.
Juan Andrade
As Co-Founder, President, and Executive Director of the United States
Hispanic Leadership Institute, Juan Andrade has been a staunch advocate
for Americas Latino community. He has helped register more than a
million new Latino voters and has worked to increase Hispanic
representation at every level of government. Recognizing the promise of
future generations, he has also dedicated himself to helping prepare
young Hispanic Americans to become leaders of our Nation.
Ruby Bridges
As a small, brave child, Ruby Bridges walked with courage past angry
protestors and into the history books as the African American child who
integrated her New Orleans school. Forty years later, she continues to
show that same courage, rejecting bitterness to bring a message of love,
faith, and acceptance to a new generation of Americans.
Ronald H. Brown (posthumously)
Throughout his life, Ron Brown worked to eliminate racial barriers and
create opportunity for all Americans. As the first African American to
become a partner in his law firm, chairman of a major political party,
and Secretary of Commerce, he showed us that we all benefit from an
inclusive society. Opening international markets for American businesses
and promoting commercial diplomacy, he demonstrated the value of
cooperation and helped ensure Americas leadership in the global economy.
Don Cameron
A powerful voice for students and teachers, Don Cameron has worked with
a pioneering spirit to address the challenges facing Americas public
schools. As Executive Director of the National Education Association and
as Founding Co-Chair of the CEO Forum on Education and Technology, he
has strived for almost 2 decades to ensure students have the talented
teachers and technological skills they need to succeed in the 21st
century.
Carol Coston, O.P.
A tireless advocate for the poor and oppressed, Sister Carol Coston has
worked with faith and vision to shape public policy that reflects
Christian values. From promoting human rights and social justice to
helping bring economic development to low-income areas, Sister Carol
Coston has used her creative leadership and moral compass to build a
more just society in America and around the world.
Archibald Cox
A renowned jurist, distinguished law professor, and exemplary public
servant, Archibald Cox has devoted his career to defending the rule of
law. As Solicitor General, he argued numerous landmark civil rights
cases before the U.S. Supreme Court; as Special Prosecutor during a time
of constitutional crisis, he carried out his responsibilities with moral
courage and uncompromising integrity; and as Chairman of Common Cause,
he worked vigorously for campaign finance reform, insistent on a
government of, by, and for the people.
Dr. Charles Delisi
A pioneer and visionary, biophysicist Dr. Charles DeLisi has profoundly
increased our knowledge about the building blocks of life. The first
government scientist to outline the feasibility, goals, and parameters
of the Human Genome Project, he helped to galvanize an international
team of researchers to pool resources, create new technologies, and
launch the monumental task of gene mapping and sequencing.
Jack Greenberg
In the courtroom and the classroom, Jack Greenberg has
been a crusader for freedom and equality for more than half a century.
Arguing 40 civil rights cases before the United States Supreme Court,
including the historic Brown v. Board of Education, he helped break down
the legal underpinnings of desegregation in America, and as a professor
of law, an advocate for international human rights, and head of the
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, he has helped shape a more
just society.
David Ho
One of the world's leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS,
David Ho has unraveled much of the mystery of the virus, helping us
understand how it behaves and how it is best treated. His groundbreaking
work using protease inhibitors in combination with standard therapies
has ensured that thousands of people with AIDS live longer and healthier
lives. For his tireless efforts and commitment to helping others, our
nation is forever grateful.
Dr. I. King Jordan
As the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, Dr.
I. King Jordan has become a hero, mentor, and tireless advocate for
people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Trained in psychology, he has
been a champion of higher education, and he played a key role in the
passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Through his
extraordinary leadership and achievements, Dr. Jordan has raised
international awareness of the importance of self-determination and full
integration for all people with disabilities.
Anthony Lewis
Revered by colleagues and readers alike for his Pulitzer
prize-winning reporting, profound insight, and broad understanding of
constitutional law, Anthony Lewis has set the highest standard of
journalistic ethics and excellence. A staunch defender of freedom of
speech, individual rights, and the rule of law, he has been a clear and
courageous voice for democracy and justice.
Irene Morgan
When Irene Morgan boarded a bus for Baltimore in the
summer of 1944, she took the first step on a journey that would change
America forever. Refusing to surrender her seat to a white couple, she
was arrested, tried, and fined for breaking segregation laws. With
courage and tenacity, she appealed her conviction and won a landmark
Supreme Court victory that outlawed segregation in interstate
transportation and helped make America a more just society.
Constance Baker Motley
A key legal strategist of the civil rights movement,
Constance Baker Motley waged the battle for equality in the courtroom
and, with quiet courage and remarkable skill, won landmark victories
that dismantled segregation in America. As a dedicated public servant
and distinguished judge, she has broken down political, social, and
professional barriers, and her pursuit of equal justice under law has
widened the circle of opportunity in America.
Helen Rodriguez-Trias
A dedicated pediatrician, outstanding educator, and
dynamic leader in public health, Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias has strived
to ensure full and equal access to health care for all. With unwavering
conviction, she has challenged discriminatory practices in health care,
encouraged community involvement in creating healthy environments,
worked to prevent the spread of AIDS, and advocated for improving womens
and childrens health. Throughout her career, she has met every challenge
with wisdom, strength, and compassion.
Edward Roybal
A devoted public servant for 43 years, Edward Roybal was
at the forefront of efforts to advance civil rights, establish rural
mental health programs, fund AIDS research, and improve support services
for veterans and the elderly. As founder of the Congressional Hispanic
Caucus, he created a national forum for Hispanic issues and opened doors
for a new generation of Hispanic American leaders.
Robert Rubin
Leaving a brilliant career on Wall Street to serve as
Director of the National Economic Council and Secretary of the Treasury,
Robert Rubin played a pivotal role in creating America's longest
economic expansion. He forged a new team approach that produced an
economic framework based on fiscal discipline, investment in
opportunity, and expanded trade, while exhibiting exceptional leadership
in ensuring global financial stability. His efforts helped countless
Americans share in an era of unprecedented prosperity.
Senator Warren B. Rudman
Warren Rudman has always put his country first, whether
fighting for freedom in the Korean War, defending the Constitution as a
United States Senator, promoting fiscal discipline as Co-Founder of the
Concord Coalition, or helping to shape national security policy as
Chairman of the Presidents Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
Forthright and courageous, he has consistently rejected partisanship and
created a remarkable legacy of public service.
Charles Ruff (posthumously)
A distinguished lawyer and exceptional public servant,
Charles Ruff dedicated his career to advancing the cause of justice.
Whether serving as Watergate Special Prosecutor, Acting Deputy Attorney
General, United States Attorney, Corporation Counsel for the District of
Columbia, or Counsel to the President, he fulfilled his demanding
responsibilities with singular judgment, integrity, and devotion to the
rule of law. Wise and compassionate, he used his extraordinary skills to
strengthen our nations legal system and revitalize our nations capital.
Rabbi Arthur Schneier
A Holocaust survivor, Rabbi Arthur Schneier has devoted a
lifetime to overcoming the forces of hatred and intolerance. As an
international envoy, Chairman of the Commission for the Preservation of
America's Heritage Abroad, and founder and president of the Appeal of
Conscience Foundation, he has set an inspiring example of spiritual
leadership by encouraging interfaith dialogue and intercultural
understanding and promoting the cause of religious freedom around the
world.
Eli J. Segal
As founder of AmeriCorps and the first Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Eli Segal
has galvanized the American spirit of community and helped us realize
the dream of a vital civilian service corps. As President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Welfare-to-Work Partnership, he has brought
businesses and communities together to create opportunity for welfare
recipients, enabling them to experience the power, dignity, and
independence of work.
John F. Seiberling
An ardent advocate for the environment, John F.
Seiberling has demonstrated a profound commitment to Americas natural
treasures. Championing numerous bills during his 17 years in Congress,
including the Alaska Lands Act, John Seiberling safeguarded millions of
acres of parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas. Working
in a spirit of bipartisanship, he also promoted civil rights and worker
rights, always striving to improve the quality of life in America.
John Sengstacke (posthumously)
A lifetime crusader for equal opportunity for African
Americans, John Sengstacke used the power of the press to bring our
nation closer to its ideals. As owner, publisher, and editor of the
legendary Chicago Defender, he provided a national forum for African
American issues, nurtured the talents of generations of African American
journalists, and played a crucial role in helping to integrate the Armed
Forces, major league baseball, the U.S. Postal Service, and the White
House press corps.
Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth
As Founder of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human
Rights and Co-Founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference,
the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth endured imprisonment, assault, and the
bombing of his home to integrate Birminghams public facilities. A hero
of the civil rights movement and a freedom fighter motivated by his
faith in God, he taught all Americans that freedom and justice are worth
any price.
Elizabeth Taylor
A screen legend, Elizabeth Taylor has captured the hearts
of audiences around the world, portraying some of the most memorable
characters in film history. A dedicated leader in the fight against
AIDS, she has focused national attention on this devastating disease.
With grace, style, and compassion, she has reminded us of our
responsibility to reach out to those in need.
Marion Wiesel
Convinced that our greatest hope for a just society is to
teach tolerance and mutual respect, Marion Wiesel has worked with
creativity and compassion to combat hatred and injustice. Whether
writing a haunting documentary about the children of the Holocaust,
translating her husbands work, or helping young Ethiopians in Israel to
thrive and succeed in a new land, she is replacing despair with dignity
and overcoming ignorance with understanding.
Patrisha Wright
Widely regarded as "The General" guiding the campaign to
pass the Americans with Disabilities Act, Patrisha Wright has been a
driving force in the battle against discrimination based on disability.
Through her tireless efforts to forge relationships with the civil
rights community, defend disability rights, and promote progressive
legislation, she has helped break down barriers to equality of
opportunity, enabling people with disabilities to participate more fully
in our society.
Other
Recipients | Presidential Civilian
Medals Information |