Politics
Oprah Winfrey awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom on eve of anniversary of Kennedy assassination
U.S. President Barack Obama presents Oprah Winfrey with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Wednesday, November 20, 2013. PHOTO/Evan Vucci/AP
U.S. President Barack Obama opened a day of tributes to former President John F. Kennedy on Wednesday by bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom on prominent Americans, 50 years after Kennedy was assassinated weeks short of the medal’s first award ceremony.
Obama presented the medal, the highest award the U.S. gives a civilian, to entertainer and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey, former President Bill Clinton, and leaders from the worlds of sports, entertainment, science and public service. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Steven Spielberg were among those gathered in the East Room of the White House to watch the ceremony.
The ceremony marks the start of a day honoring Kennedy’s legacy two days before the nation pauses to remember the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
Turning to the former White House inhabitant, Obama said that Bill Clinton’s presidency had been only the start of his work to improve the world, crediting his post-presidency humanitarian works as helping to save or improve the lives of hundreds of millions around the world.
“I’m grateful, Bill, as well, for the advice and counsel that you have offered me, on and off the golf course,” Obama said to chuckles. “And most importantly, for your lifesaving work around the world, which represents what’s the very best in America.”
Obama said the late Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, did not just break the stratospheric glass ceiling, “she blasted right through it.”
“Young girls need to see role models, she said. You can’t be what you can’t see,” Obama said. “Today our daughters, including Malia and Sasha, can set their sights a little bit higher because Sally Ride showed them the way.”
Kennedy established the modern version of the medal, but is said to have been assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas on November 22, 1963, two weeks before he planned to honor the inaugural group of recipients. Hundreds of noteworthy figures have since received the medal.
As a teenager, Bill Clinton shook hands with Kennedy the summer before the assassination when he and other high school students in the Boys Nation program went to Washington.
Friday marks 50 years to the day since Kennedy was slain while riding in an open car in a motorcade during a visit to Dallas. Obama plans to meet privately at the White House on Friday with leaders and volunteers from the Peace Corps program, also established by Kennedy.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press