President Barack Obama awarded the nation's highest civilian honor to
21 groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and innovators who
inspired him over the years and "helped make me who I am."
"Everybody
on this stage has touched me in a very powerful, personal way, in ways
that they probably couldn't imagine," Obama said in concluding an
hour-long ceremony Tuesday in the White House East Room.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, its security and its culture. Obama called the 2016 group a "particularly impressive class."
In the film world, Obama honored Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson.
Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two of the greatest basketball players ever, were also among the honorees
Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross were recognized for their music. Of "The Boss," he said
Springsteen crafted "anthems of our America, the reality of who we are and the reverie of who we want to be."
Other honorees included philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and broadcaster Vin Scully
Posthumous honors went to Native American advocate Elouise Cobell and Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.
Others receiving the award included
— Richard Garwin, an inventor and polymath physicist who made pioneering contributions to the nation's defense.
— Frank Gehry, one of the world's leading architects.
— Margaret H. Hamilton, a mathematician and computer scientist.
— Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
— Lorne Michaels, producer of "Saturday Night Live"
— Newton Minow, a former Federal Communications Commission chairman devoted to numerous public and charitable causes.
— Eduardo Padron, president of Miami Dade College
The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, its security and its culture. Obama called the 2016 group a "particularly impressive class."
In the film world, Obama honored Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson.
Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two of the greatest basketball players ever, were also among the honorees
Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross were recognized for their music. Of "The Boss," he said
Springsteen crafted "anthems of our America, the reality of who we are and the reverie of who we want to be."
Other honorees included philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and broadcaster Vin Scully
Posthumous honors went to Native American advocate Elouise Cobell and Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.
Others receiving the award included
— Richard Garwin, an inventor and polymath physicist who made pioneering contributions to the nation's defense.
— Frank Gehry, one of the world's leading architects.
— Margaret H. Hamilton, a mathematician and computer scientist.
— Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
— Lorne Michaels, producer of "Saturday Night Live"
— Newton Minow, a former Federal Communications Commission chairman devoted to numerous public and charitable causes.
— Eduardo Padron, president of Miami Dade College
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