Key Recipients of the Honor
President Joe Biden is awarding the Presidential Citizens Medal to 20 individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to the United States. Among the honorees are Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), leaders of the House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
This medal, the second highest civilian honor in the U.S., recognizes individuals who have "performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens," as established by President Richard Nixon in 1969.
Recognizing Jan. 6 Investigation Leaders
Thompson and Cheney led a bipartisan effort to uncover the events and accountability surrounding the Capitol insurrection. Despite facing political backlash, particularly from former President Donald Trump, they continued their work. Trump has labeled them as "political thugs" and has suggested they should face imprisonment, a claim he reiterated without evidence in a recent interview.
Biden’s recognition of their efforts signals support for the safeguarding of democratic institutions and election integrity.
Honoring Advocacy and Activism
The ceremony also celebrates other prominent figures in various fields:
Marriage Equality Advocates: Mary Bonauto and Evan Wolfson are honored for their pivotal roles in advancing same-sex marriage rights in the United States.
Veterans’ Advocacy: Frank Butler is recognized for revolutionizing the use of tourniquets on the battlefield, and Diane Carlson Evans is celebrated for founding the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation.
Civil Rights and Gender Equality: Eleanor Smeal, an activist for women's rights and equal pay, joins the list of honorees.
A Tribute to Service and Legacy
The honorees include former lawmakers, activists, and professionals who have made lasting impacts:
Former Senators and Representatives: Biden’s longtime friends, Ted Kaufman and Chris Dodd, along with Bill Bradley, Nancy Kassebaum, and Carolyn McCarthy, are recognized for their legislative contributions.
Posthumous Honors: Four individuals receive awards posthumously, including journalist Joseph Galloway, civil rights attorney Louis Lorenzo Redding, Delaware judge Collins Seitz, and WWII detention challenger Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi.
A Broader Message
The White House emphasized the shared values of service and decency among the recipients. "The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice," said the administration in a statement.
This ceremony continues Biden's tradition of using the Presidential Citizens Medal to highlight individuals who have contributed to social justice, equality, and national resilience.
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