President Biden on Saturday announced the names of nineteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s Highest Civilian Honour of US for their contributions towards the nation and the world. Some of the names of these honorees include Hillary Clinton, Lionel Messi, and George Soros among others.
The honor is presented to individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or any other significant societal, public, or private endeavors.
Former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is bestowed due to her decades of public service. She was the first First Lady elected to the US Senate and the first to be nominated as a presidential candidate by a major US Political party.
Lionel Messi, the most distinguished player is also conferred with the medal. Through the Leo Messi Foundation, he supports healthcare and educational programs for children all across the world. He also serves as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Among those receiving the medal posthumously includes George W. Romney for serving as the chairman and president of American Motors Corporation, the 43rd Governor of Michigan, and the 3rd Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Other posthumous awardee includes Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer for her struggle for racial justice in America and for laying the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act and US Senator Robert, Francis Kennedy for addressing poverty and inequality in the country.
Other honourees include José Andrés for providing large-scale relief to communities affected by natural disasters and conflict through his World Central Kitchen, Bono, a pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty, Michael J. Fox, five times Emmy Awards winning actor advocating for Parkinson’s disease research and development.
Tim Gill, a visionary entrepreneur would be honored for his works in advancing LGBTQI rights and equality and his significant triumphs in the fight for marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections.
The legendary retired basketball player Earvin “Magic” Johnson is being conferred the medal for his support to underserved communities.
Another notable winner is the controversial name of Indian politics, George Soros, founder of the Open Society Foundation decorated for his global initiatives to strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice.
Some other names of laureate includes George Stevens, Jr, Denzel Washington and Anna Wintour, David Rubenstein, William Sanford Nye, Ralph Lauren,and Jane Good all.
