Timing couldn't be better. Stephen Hawking, a living example of socialized medicine, is one of 16 great civilians receiving the Medal of Freedom today. Got to whitehouse.gov/live to watch. (H/T calchala) Event just ended.
President Harry S. Truman established the Medal of Freedom in 1945 to recognize civilians for their efforts during World War II. President John F. Kennedy reinstated the medal in 1963 to honor distinguished service.
Others receiving the award:
The great Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Due to his illness and recent loss of his sister Sen. Kennedy's daughter Kara will be accepting the award.
Oscar winning actor Sidney Poitier probably best known for his unbelievably brave performances in movies that defied racial stereotyping ("In the Heat of the Night" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner")
Tennis great Billie Jean King. The winner of 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 Grand Slam doubles titles. In addition Billie Jean King is a huge advocate against sexism. Her win over Wimbledon champion Bobby Riggs was a great moment for all Woman Sports.
Civil Rights icon Rev. Joseph Lowery. Most recently famous for his inaugural poetry reading,
"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right."
The other recipients are:
• Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a leading breast cancer grass-roots organization.
• Dr. Pedro Jose Greer Jr., assistant dean of academic affairs at Florida International University School of Medicine.
• Stephen Hawking, the Cambridge University physicist and mathematician known for his work on black holes and his best-selling 1988 book "A Brief History of Time." He has been almost completely paralyzed for years and communicates through an electronic voice synthesizer.
• Joe Medicine Crow, the last living Plains Indian war chief, who fought in World War II wearing war paint beneath his uniform.
• Chita Rivera, actor, singer, dancer and winner of two Tony Awards.
• Mary Robinson, Ireland's first female president and one-time U.N. high commissioner for human rights.
• Dr. Janet Davison Rowley, professor of medicine at the University of Chicago.
• Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his global, pioneering work extending "micro loans" to poor people who don't have collateral
In addition Pres Obama will:
make posthumous awards to former Republican Rep. Jack Kemp of New York, the quarterback-turned-politician who died in May, and gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978.