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 Home > News & Policies > December 2006

President Bush Honors Medal of Freedom Recipients
President George W. Bush presents the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Warren O'Neil on behalf of his brother, baseball great Buck O'Neil, who passed away at the age of 94 in October. Said the President upon presentation of the honor, "Buck O'Neil lived long enough to see the game of baseball, and America, change for the better. He's one of the people we can thank for that. Buck O'Neil was a legend, and he was a beautiful human being. And we honor the memory of Buck O'Neil." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush presents the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Warren O'Neil on behalf of his brother, baseball great Buck O'Neil, who passed away at the age of 94 in October. Said the President upon presentation of the honor, "Buck O'Neil lived long enough to see the game of baseball, and America, change for the better. He's one of the people we can thank for that. Buck O'Neil was a legend, and he was a beautiful human being... And we honor the memory of Buck O'Neil." White House photo by Shealah Craighead Full Story
President George W. Bush congratulates Ruth Johnson Colvin after presenting her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in the East Room of the White House. Said the President, "Ruth Colvin is a person of intelligence and vision and heart. And she has earned the gratitude of many, and the admiration of us all." White House photo by Eric Draper
Dr. Norman C. Francis is honored by President George W. Bush with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in the East Room of the White House. President Bush told the audience, "Dr. Francis is known across Louisiana, and throughout our country, as a man of deep intellect and compassion and character. All of us admire the good life and remarkable career of Dr. Norman C. Francis." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
Author Paul Johnson is congratulated by Dr. Norman C. Francis and Ruth Johnson Colvin after receiving his Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, during ceremonies in the East Room of the White House. In honoring Mr. Johnson, President Bush said, "Our country honors Paul Johnson, and proudly calls him a friend." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
B.B. King breaks out in laughter as he's presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, by President George W. Bush in the East Room of the White House. Introducing the musician, President Bush told the audience, when speaking of the blues, "two names are paramount. B.B. King, and his guitar, Lucille. America loves the music of B.B. King, and America loves the man, himself." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush congratulates Dr. Joshua Lederberg after presenting him with the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, during ceremonies at the White House. Said the President, "Joshua Lederberg has always seemed ahead of his time. For his brilliant career, his high ethical standards, and his many contributions to our country, the United States thanks Dr. Joshua Lederberg." White House photo by Eric Draper
Fellow recipients of the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom applaud as President George W. Bush bestows the honor on David McCullough during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the White House. Said the President, "This chronicler of other times is one of the eminent Americans of our time. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to a fine author and a fine man." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush presents the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in the East Room of the White House. Upon introduction, President Bush said, "Norman Mineta's whole life has been an extraordinary journey. he has given his country a lifetime of leadership, devotion to duty and personal character." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush presents the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Warren O'Neil on behalf of his brother, baseball great Buck O'Neil, who passed away at the age of 94 in October. Said the President upon presentation of the honor, "Buck O'Neil lived long enough to see the game of baseball, and America, change for the better. He's one of the people we can thank for that. Buck O'Neil was a legend, and he was a beautiful human being. And we honor the memory of Buck O'Neil." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush honors William Safire with the 2006 President Medal of Freedom during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the White House. Said the President of the former White House speech writer and newspaperman, "He's a voice of independence and principle, and American journalism is better for the contributions of William Safire." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush congratulates Natan Sharansky after honoring him with the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the White House. Said the President, "Americans first came to know Natan Sharansky as a voice for freedom inside an empire of tyranny. As a free man, he's become a political leader in Israel. He remains, above all, an eloquent champion for liberty and democracy. We honor Natan Sharansky for his life of courage and conviction." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush looks back as he addresses the 2006 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on stage in the East Room of the White House Friday, Dec. 15, 2006. Said the President, "The Presidential Medal of Freedom is our nation's highest civil honor. The medal recognizes high achievement in public service, science, the arts, education, athletics, and other fields. Today we honor 10 exceptional individuals who have gained great admiration and respect throughout our country." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace laugh as Vice President Dick Cheney makes a joke during his remarks at the Armed Forces Full Honor Review in Honor of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, Friday, December 15, 2006. White House photo by David Bohrer
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld acknowledges a standing ovation in his honor joined by President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Statf, following Rumsfeld's farewell address Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the Armed Forces Full Honor Review at the Pentagon. The Secretary, who has served since 2001, told the audience that he will remember "all those couragous folks that I have met deployed in the field; those in the military hospitals that we visited; and I will remember the fallen, and I will particularly remember their families from whom I have drawn inspiration." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Peter Pace, stand with outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, left, during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in the Secretary's honor at the Pentagon Friday, Dec. 15, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld shake hands following President Bush's remarks honoring outgoing Secretary Rumsfeld during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review at the Pentagon Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, as Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Peter Pace applauds. White House photo by Paul Morse
Joyce Rumsfeld, wife of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, embraces General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after she was presented with a medal in recognition of her service Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in honor of her husband. Mrs. Lynne Cheney looks on at left. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush addresses the troops during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review at the Pentagon Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in honor of outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who served since 2001, telling the audience that Secretary Rumsfeld is "one of America's most skilled, energetic and dedicated public servants." White House photo by Paul Morse
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld reviews the troops Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in his honor at the Pentagon. The Secretary, who has served since 2001, told the audience that he will remember "all those courageous folks that I have met deployed in the field; those in the military hospitals that we visited; and I will remember the fallen, and I will particularly remember their families from whom I have drawn inspiration." White House photo by Paul Morse
 
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