Photos: "The Best of Who We Are." (The Obama Presidency, Day 757)

Clio the Leo

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Tue Feb-15-11 08:32 PM
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Photos: "The Best of Who We Are." (The Obama Presidency, Day 757)

President Kennedy once said, during a tribute to the poet Robert Frost, that a nation reveals itself not only by the men and women it produces, but by the men and women that it honors; the people that it remembers. I heartily agree. When you look at the men and women who are here today, it says something about who we are as a people.

This year�s Medal of Freedom recipients reveal the best of who we are and who we aspire to be." ~ President Obama

"There�s a quote inscribed over a doorway in Nashville, where students first refused to leave lunch counters 51 years ago this February. And the quote said, �If not us, then who? If not now, then when?� It�s a question John Lewis has been asking his entire life. It�s what led him back to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma after he had already been beaten within an inch of his life days before. It�s why, time and again, he faced down death so that all of us could share equally in the joys of life. It�s why all these years later, he is known as the Conscience of the United States Congress, still speaking his mind on issues of justice and equality. And generations from now, when parents teach their children what is meant by courage, the story of John Lewis will come to mind -- an American who knew that change could not wait for some other person or some other time; whose life is a lesson in the fierce urgency of now."

(John Lewis led the first Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights on March 7, 1965, when 600 marchers were attacked by police in riot gear, who fractured Lewis� skull on a day remembered as Bloody Sunday.)

"With more than 1 million members, NRDC has won landmark cases and helped pass landmark laws to clean up our air and water, protect our forests and wildlife, and keep our climate safe. So Rolling Stone put it best: �If the planet has a lawyer, it�s John Adams.�

"As a girl, Marguerite Ann Johnson endured trauma and abuse that actually led her to stop speaking. But as a performer, and ultimately a writer, a poet, Maya Angelou found her voice. It�s a voice that�s spoken to millions, including my mother, which is why my sister is named Maya."

"As a world-renowned investor and philanthropist, Warren E. Buffett�s business acumen is matched only by his dedication to improving the lives of others. He is a co-founder of The Giving Pledge, an organization that encourages wealthy Americans to donate at least 50 percent of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Warren Buffett�s example of generosity and compassion has shown us the power of one individual�s determination and inspired countless women and men to help make our world a brighter place."

"It has been noted that Jasper Johns� work, playing off familiar images, have transfixed people around the world. Historians will tell you that he helped usher in the artistic movements that would define the latter half of the 20th century. Many would say he is one of the greatest artists of our time. And yet, of his own efforts he has simply said, �I�m just trying to find a way to make pictures.� Just trying to find a way to make pictures. Like great artists before him, Jasper Johns pushed the boundaries of what art could be and challenged others to test their own assumptions. He didn�t do it for fame, he didn�t do it for success -- although he earned both. As he said, �I assumed that everything would lead to complete failure, but I decided that it didn�t matter -- that would be my life.� (Laughter.) We are richer as a society because it was. And Jasper, you�ve turned out fine."

"By the time she was 21, Gerda Klein had spent six years living under Nazi rule -- three of them in concentration camps. Her parents and brother had been taken away. Her best friend had died in her arms during a 350-mile death march. And she weighed only 68 pounds when she was found by American forces in an abandoned bicycle factory. But Gerda survived. She married the soldier who rescued her. And ever since -- as an author, a historian and a crusader for tolerance -- she has taught the world that it is often in our most hopeless moments that we discover the extent of our strength and the depth of our love. �I pray you never stand at any crossroads in your own lives,� she says, �but if you do, if the darkness seems so total, if you think there is no way out, remember, never ever give up.�

"An optometrist from New York, Tom Little could have pursued a lucrative career. Instead, he guided -- he was guided by his faith and he set out to heal the poorest of the poor in Afghanistan. For 30 years, amid invasion and civil war, the terror of the Taliban, the spread of insurgency, he and his wife Libby helped bring Afghans, literally, the miracle of sight. Last summer, Tom and his team of doctors and nurses were ambushed and senselessly murdered. Today, we remember and honor Dr. Tom Little -- a humanitarian in the truest sense of the word; a man who not only dedicated his life to others, but who lived that lesson of Scripture: �Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.�

"Yo-Yo Ma has been a concert cellist since the age of five. Despite being a late bloomer -- (laughter) -- he went on to record over 75 albums and win 16 Grammys -- which means I�m only 14 behind him. (Laughter.) While Yo-Yo could have just settled for being the world�s greatest cellist, he�s said that even greater than his passion for music is his passion for people. And I can testify to this. There are few people you�ll meet with just the exuberance and joy that Yo-Yo possesses. And so he�s spent much of his life traveling the world, training and mentoring thousands of students, from Lebanon and Korea to the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra. A member of my Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, he has been named a Messenger of Peace by the United Nations, and we understand why. In his words, �When we enlarge our view of the world, we deepen our understanding of our own lives.�

"For Sylvia Mendez, a lifelong quest for equality began when she was just eight years old. Outraged that their daughter had to attend a segregated school, Sylvia�s parents linked arms with other Latino families to fight injustice in a California federal court, a case that would pave the way for Brown v. Board of Education. The next year, when a classmate taunted Sylvia saying that Mexicans didn�t belong there, she went home in tears, begging to leave the school. Her mother wouldn�t have it. She told Sylvia, �Don�t you realize that�s why we went to court? You are just as good as he is.� And Sylvia took those words to heart. And ever since, she has made it her mission to spread a message of tolerance and opportunity to children of all backgrounds and all walks of life."
Note: Sylvia and I BOTH cried through the whole ceremony. (tears of joy)

"Stan Musial -- his brilliance could come in blinding bursts; hitting five home runs in a single day�s doubleheader; leading the league in singles, doubles, triples and RBIs over a single season; three World Series; first-ballot Hall of Famer; worthy of one of the greatest nicknames in sports -- �Stan the Man.� (Laughter.) My grandfather was Stan, by the way, so I used to call him �The Man� too, Stan.
Stan Musial made that brilliance burn for two decades. Stan matched his hustle with humility. He retired with 17 records -- even as he missed a season in his prime to serve his country in the Navy. He was the first player to make -- get this -- $100,000. Even more shocking, he asked for a pay cut when he didn�t perform up to his own expectations. You can imagine that happening today. (Laughter.) Stan remains, to this day, an icon, untarnished; a beloved pillar of the community; a gentleman you�d want your kids to emulate. �I hope I�ve given nearly as much as I�ve gotten from it,� Stan wrote in his memoirs, knocking it out of the park one more time."

"When Bill Russell was in junior high, he was cut from his basketball team. (Laughter.) He got better after that. (Laughter.) He led the University of San Francisco to two championships. In 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, he won 11 championships -- a record unmatched in any sport. Won two while also serving as the team�s coach. And so happens, he also was the first African American ever to hold such a position as a coach in a Major League sports team of any sort. More than any athlete of his era, Bill Russell came to define the word �winner.� And yet, whenever someone looks up at all 6�9� of Bill Russell -- I just did -- (laughter) -- I always feel small next to him -- and asks, �Are you a basketball player?� -- surprisingly, he gets this more than you think, this question -- (laughter) -- he says, �No.� He says, �That�s what I do, that�s not what I am. I�m not a basketball player. I am a man who plays basketball.� Bill Russell, the man, is someone who stood up for the rights and dignity of all men. He marched with King; he stood by Ali. When a restaurant refused to serve the black Celtics, he refused to play in the scheduled game. He endured insults and vandalism, but he kept on focusing on making the teammates who he loved better players, and made possible the success of so many who would follow. And I hope that one day, in the streets of Boston, children will look up at a statue built not only to Bill Russell the player, but Bill Russell the man."

"When you are among the youngest of nine children, you develop a strong sense of empathy. When those children are the Kennedys, you also develop a strong set of diplomatic skills just to be heard. Both traits helped Jean Kennedy Smith follow her siblings into public service. When her brother, President Kennedy, visited Ireland in 1963, he promised he�d be back in the springtime. Thirty years later, it was left to Jean to return for him. As President Clinton�s ambassador to Ireland, Jean was as vital as she was unconventional, helping brave men and women find the courage to see past the scars of violence and mistrust and come together to forge a lasting peace. Touched by experiences in her own life, Jean also founded the VSA program, helping people with disabilities discover the joys of learning through the arts, changing the lives of those it has served. And today, her mission has spread to more than 50 countries and touched millions of lives -- ensuring that the family business remains alive and well."
Jean Kennedy Smith is the last surviving member of Rose and Joe Kennedy's children.

"The Bronx-born son of Irish immigrants, John Sweeney was shaped by three things. His family -- his mother was a maid, his father was a bus driver -- instilled in him that fundamentally American idea that through hard work, we can make of our lives what we will. The church taught him our obligations to ourselves and one another. And as a child, he saw that by banding together in a union, we can accomplish great things that we can�t accomplish alone. John devoted his career to the labor movement, adding working folks to its ranks and fighting for fair working conditions and fair wages. As the head of the AFL-CIO, he was responsible for dozens of unions with millions of working families. Family. Faith. Fidelity to the common good. These are the values that make John Sweeney who he is; values at the heart of a labor movement that has helped build the world�s greatest middle class."

"And finally, we recognize our last recipient, not simply for the years he spent as our 41st President. We honor George Herbert Walker Bush for service to America that spanned nearly 70 years. From a decorated Navy pilot who nearly gave his life in World War II to U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; from CIA director to U.S. envoy to China to the vice presidency -- his life is a testament that public service is a noble calling. As President, he expanded America�s promise to new immigrants and people with disabilities. He reduced nuclear weapons. He built a broad international coalition to expel a dictator from Kuwait. When democratic revolutions swept across Eastern Europe, it was the steady diplomatic hand of President Bush that made possible an achievement once thought impossible -- ending the Cold War without firing a shot."

"Quit looking so happy George, HE is the reason Jebby cant run next time!"

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/15/remarks-president-honoring-recipients-2010-medal-freedom">Remarks by the President Honoring the Recipients of the 2010 Medal of Freedom

"Flag" by Jasper Johns

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Ninga

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Tue Feb-15-11 08:42 PM
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1. Wonderful and inspiring! I enjoyed reading the tributes to these people who's lives

occupy a slice of history.

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nevergiveup

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Tue Feb-15-11 10:02 PM
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2. Thanks so much Clio.

I would never have known Stan Musial was among the recipients today. He was my childhood hero.

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CakeGrrl

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Wed Feb-16-11 12:18 AM
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3. John Lewis...brings tears

and for a couple of seconds I thought Tom Brokaw was there next to Barbara Bush...but Jeb has gone really gray, heh.

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