Pelosi Statement on Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients

WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released
the following statement today on President Obama naming the recipients of the
2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Obama will present the awards at
a ceremony on August 12.

"In naming the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients today, President Obama
has honored the fundamental values of service and progress. Though those to be
honored have a diversity of backgrounds, they share a commitment to change, to
improving their communities and our world.

"It brings great pride to San Franciscans that Harvey Milk will receive this
award posthumously. Harvey lived his entire life to create opportunity for
others. We continue the work he begun, the work that was so tragically cut
short, by ensuring equal rights for all members of the LGBT community.

"On behalf of all Members of Congress, I congratulate our friend and
colleague, Senator Ted Kennedy. Few have accomplished more in a lifetime than
Senator Kennedy has; this award - the highest a civilian can receive - honors
his steadfast commitment to the American ideal of justice."

The following 16 agents of change will receive the 2009 Presidential Medal of
Freedom:
Nancy Goodman Brinker
Pedro Jose Greer, Jr.
Stephen Hawking
Jack Kemp
Edward Kennedy
Billie Jean King
Joseph Lowery
Joe Medicine Crow - High Bird
Harvey Milk
Sandra Day O'Connor
Sidney Poitier
Chita Rivera
Mary Robinson
Janet Davison Rowley
Desmond Tutu
Muhammad Yunus

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House

Brendan Daly, Nadeam Elshami, or Drew Hammill, all of the Office of the
Speaker of the House, +1-202-226-7616