he's still got a lot of stuff going on. gordon hirabayashi knew what it was like to stand alone. as a student at the university of washington, gordon was one of only three japanese americans to defy the executive order that forced thousands of families to leave their homes, their jobs, and their civil rights behind and move to internment camps during world war ii. he took his case all the way to the supreme court, and he lost. and it would be another 40 years before that decision was reversed, giving asian americans everywhere a small measure of justice. in gordon's words, "it takes a crisis to tell us that unless citizens are willing to standup for the [constitution], it's not worth the paper it's written on." and this country is better off because of citizens like him who are willing to stand up.

similarly, when cesar chavez sat dolores huerta down at his kitchen table and told her they should start a union, she thought he was joking. she was a single mother of seven children, so she obviously didn't have a lot of free time. but dolores had been an elementary school teacher and remembered seeing children come to school hungry and without shoes. so in the end, she agreed -- and workers everywhere are glad that she did. without any negotiating experience, dolores helped lead a worldwide grape boycott that forced growers to agree to some of the country's first farm worker contracts. and ever since, she has fought to give more people a seat at the table." don't wait to be invited," she says, "step in there." and on a personal note, dolores was very gracious when i told her i had stolen her slogan, "si, se puede." yes, we can. knowing her, i'm pleased that

she let me off easy because dolores does not play. for years, jan karski's students at georgetown university knew he was a great professor, what they didn't realize was he was also a hero. fluent in four languages, possessed of a photographic memory, jan served as a courier for the polish resistance during the darkest days of world war ii. before one trip across enemy lines, resistance fighters told him that jews were being murdered on a massive scale, and smuggled him into the warsaw ghetto and a polish death camp to see for himself. jan took that information to president franklin roosevelt, giving one of the first accounts of the holocaust and imploring to the world to take action. it was decades before jan was ready to tell his story. by then, he said, "i don't need courage anymore. so i teach compassion."

growing up in georgia in the late 1800s, juliette gordon low was not exactly typical. she flew airplanes. she went swimming. she experimented with electricity for fun. and she recognized early on that in order to keep up with the changing times, women would have to be prepared. so at age 52, after meeting the founder of the boy scouts in england, juliette came home and called her cousin and said, "i've got something for the girls of savannah, and all of america, and all the world. and we're going to start it tonight!" a century later, almost 60 million girl scouts have gained leadership skills and self-confidence through the organization that she founded. they include ceos, astronauts, my own secretary of state. and from the very beginning,

they have also included girls of different races and faiths and abilities, just the way that juliette would have wanted it. toni morrison -- she is used to a little distraction. as a single mother working at a publishing company by day, she would carve out a little time in the evening to write, often with her two sons pulling on her hair and tugging at her earrings. once, a baby spit up on her tablet so she wrote around it. circumstances may not have been ideal, but the words that came out were magical. usi morrison's prose brings that kind of moral and emotional intensity that few writers ever attempt. from "song of solomon" to "beloved," toni reaches us deeply, using a tone that is lyrical, precise, distinct, and inclusive. she believes that language "arcs toward the place where meaning might lie."

the rest of us are lucky to be following along for the ride. during oral argument, justice john paul stevens often began his line of questioning with a polite, "may i interrupt?" or "may i ask a question?" you can imagine the lawyers would say, "okay" after which he would, just as politely, force a lawyer to stop dancing around and focus on the most important issues in the case. and that was his signature style, modest, insightful, well-prepared, razor-sharp. he is the third-longest serving justice in the history of the court. and justice stevens applied, throughout his career, his clear and graceful manner to the defense of individual rights and the rule of law, always favoring a pragmatic solution over an ideological one. ever humble, he would happily comply when unsuspecting tourists asked him to take their picture in front of the court.

and at his vacation home in florida, he was john from arlington, better known for his world-class bridge game than his world-changing judicial opinions. even in his final days on the bench, justice stevens insisted he was still "learning on the job." but in the end, we are the ones who have learned from him. when a doctor first told pat summitt she suffered from dementia, she almost punched him. when a second doctor advised her to retire, she responded, "do you know who you're dealing with here?" obviously, they did not. as pat says, "i can fix a tractor, mow hay, plow a field, chop tobacco, fire a barn, and call the cows. but what i'm really known for is winning." in 38 years at tennessee, she racked up eight national championships and more than 1,000 wins -- understand, this is more than any college coach, male or female, in the history of the ncaa.

and more importantly, every player that went through her program has either graduated or is on her way to a degree. that's why anybody who feels sorry for pat will find themselves on the receiving end of that famous glare, or she might punch you. she's still getting up every day and doing what she does best, which is teaching." the players," she says, "are my best medicine." our final honoree is not here -- shimon peres, the president of israel, who has done more for the cause of peace in the middle east than just about anybody alive. i'll be hosting president peres for a dinner here at the white house next month, and we'll be presenting him with his medal and honoring his incredible contributions to the state of israel and the world at that time. so i'm looking forward to welcoming him. and if it's all right with you, i will save my best lines about

him for that occasion. so these are the recipients of the 2012 medals of freedom. and just on a personal note, i had a chance to see everybody in the back. what's wonderful about these events for me is so many of these people are my heroes individually. i know how they impacted my life. i remember reading "song of solomon" when i was a kid and not just trying to figure out how to write, but also how to be and how to think. and i remember in college listening to bob dylan and my world opening up because he captured something that -- about this country that was so vital. and i think about dolores huerta, reading about her when i was starting off as an

organizer. haserybody on this stage marked my life in profound ways. and i was telling -- somebody like pat summitt -- when i think about my two daughters, who are tall and gifted, and knowing that because of folks like coach summitt they're standing up straight and diving after loose balls and feeling confident and strong, then i understand that the impact that these people have had extends beyond me. it will continue for generations to come. what an extraordinary honor to be able to say thank you to all of them for the great work that they have done on behalf of this country and on behalf of the world. so it is now my great honor to present them with a small token of our appreciation.

[applause] >> presidential medal of freedom citations, madeleine korbel albright. madeleine korbel albright broke barriers and left an indelible mark on the world as the first female secretary of state in the united states' history. through her consummate diplomacy and steadfast democratic ideals, secretary albright advanced peace in the middle east, nuclear arms control, justice in the balkans, and human rights around the world. with unwavering leadership and continued engagement with the global community, she continues her noble pursuit of freedom and dignity for all people. >> i think this goes very well with your broach.

[laughter] [the medal is presented] [applause] >> john doar. as african americans strove for justice, john doar led federal efforts to defend equality and enforce civil rights. risking his life to confront the injustices around him, he prevented a violent riot, obtained convictions for the killings of civil rights activists, and stood by the first african american student at the university of mississippi on his first day of class. during pivotal moments in the civil rights movement and in the troubled times of the watergate scandal, john doar fought to protect the core values of liberty, equality and democracy that have made america a leader among nations.

[applause] [the medal is presented] >> bill foege. >> he is pretty tall. [laughter] >> a distinguished physician and epidemiologist, bill foege helped lead a campaign to eradicate smallpox that stands among medicine's greatest success stories. at the centers for disease control and prevention, the carter center, and the bill and melinda gates foundation, he has taken on humanity's most

intractable public health challenges from infectious diseases to child survival and development. bill foege has driven decades of progress to safeguard the well- being of all, and he has inspired a generation of leaders in the fight for a healthier world. [applause] [the medal is presented] john glenn has set a peerless example through his service to our nation. as a marine corps pilot and the first american to orbit the earth, he sparked our passions

for ingenuity and adventure and lifted humanity's ambitions into the expanses of space. in the united states senate, he worked tirelessly to ensure all americans had the opportunity to reach for limitless dreams. whether by advancing legislation to limit the spread of nuclear weapons or by becoming the oldest person ever to visit space, john glenn's example has moved us all to look to new horizons with drive and optimism. [the medal is presented] [applause] susan carnahan, accepting on behalf of her husband gordon kiyoshi hirabayashi. in his open defiance of

discrimination against japanese americans during world war ii, gordon kiyoshi hirabayashi demanded our nation live up to its founding principles. imprisoned for ignoring curfew and refusing to register for internment camps, he took his case to the supreme court, which ruled against him in 1943. refusing to abandon his belief in an america that stands for fundamental human rights, he pursued justice until his conviction was overturned in 1987. gordon hirabayashi's legacy reminds us that patriotism is rooted not in ethnicity, but in our shared ideals. and his example will forever call on us to defend the liberty of all our citizens. [the medal is presented] [applause]

dolores clara fernandez huerta. one of america's great labor and civil rights icons, dolores clara fernandez huerta has devoted her life to advocating for marginalized communities. alongside cesar chavez, she co- founded the united farm workers of america and fought to secure basic rights for migrant workers and their families, helping save thousands from neglect and abuse. dolores huerta has never lost faith in the power of community organizing, and through the dolores huerta foundation, she continues to train and mentor new activists to walk the streets into history. [the medal is presented] [applause]

adam daniel rotfeld, former polish foreign minister accepting on behalf of jan karski. as a young officer in the polish underground, ka amongirsy accounts of the holocaust to the world. a witness to atrocity in the warsaw ghetto and the nazi izbica transit camp, he repeatedly crossed enemy line to document the face of genocide, and courageously voiced tragic truths all the way to president roosevelt. jan karski illuminated one of the darkest chapters of history, and his heroic intervention on behalf of the innocent will never be forgotten. [the medal is presented] [applause]

richard platt, accepting on behalf of his great aunt, juliette gordon low. an artist, athlete and trailblazer for america's daughters, juliette gordon low founded an organization to teach young women self-reliance and resourcefulness. a century later, during the "year of the girl," the girl scouts' more than 3 million members are leaders in their communities and are translating new skills into successful careers. americans of all backgrounds continue to draw inspiration from juliette gordon low's remarkable vision, and we celebrate her dedication to empowering girls everywhere. [applause]

toni morrison. the first african american woman to win a nobel prize, toni morrison is one of our nation's most distinguished storytellers. she has captivated readers through lyrical prose that depicts the complexities of a people and challenges our concepts of race and gender. her works are hallmarks of the american literary tradition, and the united states proudly honors her for her nursing of souls and strengthening the character of our union. [the medal is presented] [applause]

john paul stevens. from the navy to the bench, john paul stevens has devoted himself to service to our nation. after earning a bronze star in world war ii, stevens returned home to pursue a career in law. as an attorney, he became a leading practitioner of anti- trust law. and as a supreme court justice, he dedicated his long and distinguished tenure to applying our constitution with fidelity and independence. his integrity, humility, and steadfast commitment to the rule of law have fortified the noble vision of our nation's founders. [the medal is presented] [applause]

pat summitt. pat summitt is an unparalleled figure in collegiate sports. over 38 seasons, she proudly led the university of tennessee lady volunteers to 32 sec tournament and regular season championships and eight national titles, becoming the all-time winningest coach in ncaa basketball history. on the court, coach summitt inspired young women across our country to shoot even higher in pursuit of their dreams. off the court, she has inspired

us all by turning her personal struggle into a public campaign to combat alzheimer's disease. pat summitt's strength and character exemplify all that is best about athletics in america. [the medal is presented] [applause] bob dylan. >> come on, bob. [laughter] >> a modern-day troubadour, bob dylan established himself as

one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. the rich poetry of his lyrics opened up new possibilities for popular song and inspired generations. his melodies have brought ancient traditions into the modern age. more than 50 years after his career began, bob dylan remains an eminent voice in our national conversation and around the world. [the medal is presented] [applause] >> can everybody please stand and give a rousing applause to our medal of freedom winners? well, we could not be prouder of all of them.

[applause] [applause] we could not be more grateful to all of them. you have had an impact on all of us, and i know that you will continue to have an impact on all of us. so thank you for being here. thank you for putting yourself through white house ceremonies which are always full of all kinds of protocol.

fortunately, we also have a reception afterwards. i hear the food around here is pretty good. so i look forward to all of you having a chance to stay and mingle, and again, thank you again, to all of you. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2012] >> ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seat until the president and metal recipients have all -- medal recipients of all departed. >> on thursday, the official

portrait unveiling ceremony was held for george w. bush and former first lady laura bush. president obama said, "we may have our differences politically, but the presidency transcends these differences." the president and the first lady hosted a private lunch for president bush and his wife, and a former president george h. w. bush and barbara bush. this is just under 30 minutes. [applause]

♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states and mrs. obama accompanied by george w. bush and mrs. laura bush. ♪ [hail to the chief playing] [applause]

>> good afternoon. i am chairman of the board of the white house historical association. the association is honored to be part of this historic ceremony and to have played a role in preparing the magnificent portraits about to be unveiled. the association was founded 50 years ago with two specific missions, the first is to educate and inform the public about the history of the white house and the distinguished groups of americans who have inhabited it. it is an exciting time for us. we marked our 50th anniversary. to the north of the white house we have just launched the new national center for let us history. the next year, to the south, we will open a new white house the visitor center. it will give millions of

visitors a new understanding. if we acquire something on the east and west we will have the police surrounded. are proud to have provided funds for financial support. through the portraits of our presidents, it is a wonderful tradition that here, our country honors those who have honored us. the tradition began with the acquisition of george washington's portrait in 1800. it was purchased bthe united states government. it was viewed as such as an important national treasure it was the object of dolly madison's concern we have been commissioned to complete the

portraits of every first lady and president in the past 50 years. and to acquire historical portraits of those previously missing from the white house collection. in our world, with so many images are flashes on the screen, these portraits by acclaimed artist are lasting tribute to our presidents and first ladies and will forever be part of the collection. today, the portrait of president george w. bush and laura bush will be added to the unique collection of those who have occupied this house. to those great presidential portrait artists whose works include gilbert stuart, we now add john howard.

today's event that may prompt a great debate. at a great debate, strong arguments on both sides, not over issues, it is the debate as to whether the portrait actually looks like the president and first lady. [laughter] we will soon find that out. it is my distinct pleasure to introduce the president of the united states. [applause] >> thank you. thank you so much. thank you. please, everybody, have a seat. good afternoon everybody. thank you for that introduction. to the president and barbara, to all of the members of the bush family, it is a great privilege to have you here today. to president and mrs. bush, welcome back to the house that you called home for eight years. the white house is many things at once.

it is a working office, it is a living museum, it is an enduring symbol of our democracy. a few of us are blessed with the honor of living here. i think it is fair to say that every president is aware that we are temporary residence. we are renters. we are charged with the upkeep until our lease runs out. we also leave a piece of ourselves in this place. today, with the unveiling of the portraits next to me, president and mrs. bush will take their place alongside men and women who built this country and those who worked to perfect it. it can be said that no one can understand what it is like being president until they sit behind

the desk and feel the weight and responsibility for the first time, it is true. after three and a half years in office, i have a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the presidents who came before me, including president bush. in this job, no decision that reaches your desk is easy. no choice you make is without cost. no matter how hard you try, you are not going to make everybody happy. that is something president bush and i both learned quickly. that is why, from time to time, those of us who have had the privilege to hold this office turned to the people who know the feeling. we may have our differences politically, but the presidency transcends those differences. we all love this country. we all want america to succeed. we all believe that when it comes to moving america forward, we have an obligation to pull together. we all follow the example of our first president, george washington, who knew that a true

test of patriotism is the willingness to freely and graciously passed the reins of power on to somebody else. that has been true of president bush. the months before it took the oath of office were chaotic. we knew our economy was in trouble. our americans were in pain. we would not know until later how breathtaking the financial crisis had been. still, over those two and a half months, president bush, his cabinet, his staff, many of you who are here today, went out of your ways, george, you went out of your way, to make sure the transition was as seamless as possible. president bush understood that rescuing our economy was not

just a democratic or republican issue, it was an american priority. i will always be grateful for that. the same is true for our national security. none of us will forget where we were on that terrible september day when our country was attacked. all of us will remember the image of president bush standing on the pile of rubble, bullhorn in hand, and of the strength and resolve of the american people. my first call once american forces were out of harm's way was to president bush. protecting our country is knighted the work of one person with the task of one time, it is an ongoing obligation we all share.

finally, on a personal note, michele and i are grateful to the entire bush family for their guidance and example during our tradition. -- transition. george, i will always remember the gathering you posted for all of the living former presidents. i remember your kind words of encouragement. plus, you left me a really good tv sports package. [laughter] i use it. [laughter] laura, you reminded us that the most rewarding thing about living in this house is not the title or power but the chance to shine a spotlight on the issues that matter the most. the fact that you enjoyed raised two smart and beautiful daughters, as teenagers preparing to head out into the world, that gives us tremendous hope.

we are trying to do the right thing by our own daughters in this slightly odd atmosphere we have created. we will never forget the advice you give our daughters as they began their lives in washington. they tell them to surround themselves with loyal friends. never stop doing what they love. slide down the banisters. place settings on the lawn. -- play sardines on the lawn. meet new people. enjoy all that. i can tell you that they took that advice to heart. it really meant a lot. one of the greatest strengths of our democracy is our ability to peacefully and routinely go through transitions of power. we have always had the leaders who believe in america and everything it stands for.

leaders and families who are willing to devote their lives to the country they love. this is what we will think about every time we pass these portraits, just as millions of others of visitors will do in the decades to come. i want to thank the artist behind these beautiful works. on behalf of the american people, i want to thank president and mrs. bush for their extraordinary service to our country. i would like to invite them on stage to take part in the presentation. [applause] [applause]

[applause] >> thank you, sit down. sit down. behave yourselves. thank you so much for inviting our rowdy friends to my hanging.

[laughter] we are honored to be here. mr. vice president, thank you for coming. we are overwhelmed. thank you for feeding the bush family, all 14 members of us. i want to thank our girls for coming. i thank mom and dad, brother, sister, in laws, aunts and uncles. i know you were as excited to be able to come back and thank the people who helped make this house a home for us. the white house staff. i want to thank fred ryan and the white house curator. i am pleased that my portrait brings an interesting symmetry to the white house collection. it now starts and ends with a george w. [applause]

when the british burned the white house in 1814, and dolly madison saved this portrait of the first george w. [laughter] now, michelle, if anything happens there is your man. [laughter] [applause] i am pleased that when you are wondering these halls he would now be able to the is that this portrait and ask "what would george do?" [laughter]

i am honored to be hanging there with the man they gave me the greatest give possible, unconditional love, number 41. [applause] i want to thank john howard for agreeing to use his considerable talents to paint my likeness. you have done a fine job with a challenging subjects.

in the portrait there is a painting called "a charge to keep" that hung in the oval office for the eight years of my presidency. it reminds me of the wonderful people with whom i was privileged to serve. these men and women, many of whom who are here worked hard and served with honor. we had a charge to keep. it is my privilege to introduce the great as first lady ever, sorry mom. [laughter] would you agree to a tie? [laughter] a woman who brought such grace and dignity and love in this house. [applause] [applause]