U.S. President Joe Biden will award the second-highest civilian honor to 20 Americans in a ceremony at the White House on Thursday.
Among the honorees are Congressman Bennie Thompson and former Republican Congresswoman Elizabeth Cheney, who led Congressional investigations into the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. The attack on the Capitol was carried out by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, attempting to block the certification of Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections.
Former President Trump, who won the 2024 election and will begin a second term on January 20, has called for Thompson and Cheney to be imprisoned.
The White House statement highlighting Thursday’s honorees notes that Cheney, a Republican, “raised her voice and stood with the political opposition to protect our nation and the ideals upon which we stand: Freedom, Dignity, and Integrity.”
Created in 1969, the Presidential Medal of Freedom honors American citizens “who have performed exemplary acts for their country or fellow citizens.”
“President Biden believes that these Americans share integrity and a dedication to serving others. Our country is better because of their commitment and sacrifice,” the White House said in its announcement.
Among the honorees are Mary Bonauto and Evan Wolfson, who advocated for the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S.
Frank Butler will also receive the medal for his efforts to improve battlefield medical techniques for wounded soldiers.
Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi will be honored for her successful legal case against the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
President Biden will also recognize Eleanor Smeal for her leadership in advocating for women’s rights and equal pay for women.
Other recipients include former Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, as well as a group of former senators: Bill Bradley, Chris Dodd, Nancy Kassebaum, and Ted Kaufman.
The honorees also include Diane Carlson Evans, founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation, war correspondent Joseph Galloway, civil rights attorney Louis Redding, and photographer Bobby Sager.
Additional honorees include Judge Collins Seitz, Thomas Vallely, founder of the Fulbright University of Vietnam, breast cancer activist Frances Visco, and Paula Wallace, founder of the Savannah College of Art and Design.
/VOA/
