South Carolina’s U.S. Representative James Clyburn is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on May 3, 2024. President Joe Biden will present the medal to Clyburn and 18 other distinguished recipients at the White House, according to a press statement released by the Biden administration.
In the statement, President Biden highlighted the remarkable contributions of Clyburn and the other recipients, stating, “President Biden often says there is nothing beyond our capacity when we act together. These 19 Americans built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations, and businesses that shaped America for the better. They are the pinnacle of leadership in their fields. They consistently demonstrated over their careers the power of community, hard work, and service.”
Clyburn, a three-term Democrat, has been chosen for the medal due to his transformative impact on the lives of millions of Americans and his dedication to creating a freer country, as per the statement.
Throughout his tenure in Congress, which began in 1993, Clyburn has held significant roles, including serving as the assistant Democratic leader and majority whip. He has been a tireless advocate for various causes, notably leading efforts to restore historic buildings on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Additionally, Clyburn made history as the first Black advisor to a South Carolina governor when he joined the staff of Gov. John West in 1971.
Clyburn joins a distinguished group of individuals who will also receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The recipients include:
– Michael R. Bloomberg, philanthropist and former New York City mayor
– Gregory J. Boyle, Jesuit Catholic priest and nonprofit leader
– Elizabeth Dole, former U.S. senator and Red Cross president
– Phil Donahue, journalist and talk show host
– Medgar Wiley Evers, civil rights leader and World War II veteran
– Al Gore, former vice president, U.S. senator, and Nobel Prize winner
– Clarence B. Jones, civil rights leader and co-author of the “I Have a Dream” speech
– John Forbes Kerry, former secretary of state, Vietnam veteran, and U.S. senator
– Frank R. Lautenberg, longest-serving senator in New Jersey history
– Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky, seven-time Olympic gold medalist
– Opal Lee, educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday
– Ellen Ochoa, astronaut and the first Hispanic woman in space
– Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi, two-time Speaker of the House and California congresswoman for over 36 years
– Jane Rigby, astronomer
– Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the United States
– Judy Shepard, LGBTQ+ activist and co-founder of the Matthew Shepard Foundation
– James Francis Thorpe, multisport athlete and the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal
– Michelle Yeoh, actress and Oscar winner
The ceremony honoring these outstanding individuals will take place at the White House on May 3, 2024, where President Biden will recognize their exceptional contributions to society, prosperity, and the values of the United States.
