gregory j. boyle. [applause] inspired by his jesuit teachers, father greg boyle has dedicated his life to healing and hope. as a young priest assigned to one of los angeles's most underserved parishes he founded homeaway industries, now the largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program in the world that has helped thousands of angelenos turned their lives around, connecting them to jobs, counseling, and a warmhearted community where all are welcomed and cherished. answering jesus's call to serve father greg is a testament to america's enduring grace. [applause] james e clyburn.

jim clyburn is a beacon of moral clarity. the student of history became a teacher and movement leader for a fairer and freer america. his dignity and decency is surpassed by his dear emily who marched ahead of him from

classrooms to congress. through three decades in the house of representatives he has transformed the lives of millions of americans bypassing ground-breaking loss for all our families. jim clyburn is touched by the divine and he brings us closer to a more closer union. [applause] applause]] elizabeth dole. >> elizabeth dole.

>> a singular trail blazer, elizabeth dole was the first woman to hold every position she had. over the course of four decades in public service, she served as the secretary of transportation, secretary of labor, president of the american red cross and senator from north carolina. nor. she established a preeminent foundation dedicated to -- and supporting american military caregivers. elizabeth dole paved the path for millions of americans to serve with honor and dignity. [applause]

[applause] phil donahue. [laughter] from an irish catholic roots in cleveland, phil donahue rose to transform television and reshape the national conversation. over 29 years, nearly 7000 episodes, and 20 enemies, he

pioneered -- 20 emmys he pioneered the live daytime talk show, interviewing everybody from our greatest stars to our forgotten neighbors uniting us around the toughest issues of our time. insatiably curious and excepting he saw every guest as worthy of interest and worked to build understanding, bringing us to see each other not as enemies, but fellow americans. [applause]

[applause] rena everts accepting on behalf of of metzger everts -- medgar evers. medgar evers was willing to face death to give america a new life. an army soldier, he fought for freedom abroad during world war ii. at the height of the civil rights movement he was a crusading lawyer fighting for equality at home i'm the investigating lynchings, organizing voter drives, and dismantling school segregation. the life he chose to live and the risks he took to do right is a reminder of the history he made and are charged to keep. in a life cut too short, his

legacy casts a ray of light on our quest to redeem the soul of our nation. [applause] al gore. [applause] over a lifetime of service, al gore has been an army serviceman , senator, vice president, presidential nominee, and visionary climate statesmen.

in a historic act of selflessness and love for country he accepted the outcome a -- of a disputed election for the sake of unity and democracy. through his nobel peace prize winning leadership he inspires millions to confront the existential threat of climate change. he is a model of american resilience. he proves that what matters most is the courage to take on a cause bigger than ourselves. [applause] clarence b jones.

[applause] the philadelphia son of domestic workers and a former foster child he became the wordsmiths for a movement. he was an army soldier on the front lines in the battlefield. and a civil rights law you're on the front lines of the courtroom. wise and unflinching, clarence jones' lyrical prose and prophetic life shows us the enduring power of the idea of america. an advisor and speechwriter to dr. martin luther king jr., he helped write a new american

declaration to ensure we hold these truths to be self-evident is forever linked with i have a dream. [applause] [laughter] [applause]

john thorpe kerry. [applause] john kerry's public service expands the seven decades and the seven continents. he demonstrated courage fighting in a war and equal courage fighting against it. a decorated naval officer that volunteered for combat he made peace for the country he fought on the battlefield. elected five times to the senate by the people of massachusetts, he was the democratic party presidential nominee and came within one state of victory. the son of a foreign officer -- the son of a foreign officer, diplomacy is in his dna. as a secretary of state, he worked for peace, negotiated arms control, and forged the

historic paris agreement on climate change. he built on that work as the first ever special presidential envoy for climate. his bold, relentless public service reflects his enduring belief in america where our best days are still to come. [applause] [applause]

bonnie lundberg accepting on behalf of frank r lundberg. [applause] frank altenburg was a patriot of -- frank altenburg enlisted in the army at 18 and served in europe during world war ii. after graduating college on the g.i. bill, he built and ran one of the world's most successful software companies. he later become new jersey's longest-serving senator. as a strong advocate for consumer protection, the environment, and a safe transportation, he took on the danger of secondhand smoke and fought for health care for people living with hiv aids. when history called, frank lautenberg answered.

opal lee. [applause] two years after president lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, freedom for enslaved americans was finally enforced in galveston, texas marking the nation's first juneteenth. in the same town, opal lee was born six decades later. growing up in a home that was burned down by a racist mob, she understood history must never be erased. a teacher and advocate, she helped lead a movement with the national juneteenth observance foundation. more than 150 years after that day, she stood next to another

american president that followed her lead and made a juneteenth a federal holiday. the nation thanks opal lee, the grandmother of juneteenth. [applause] kathleen genevieve ledecky.

a humble leader, olympian, and a champion of unparalleled dedication that she is the most decorated female swimmer in history. [applause] with 10 olympic medals and counting. an athletic prodigy from a swimming family she captured the world's admiration with her punishing strokes and unmatched stamina, pushing through and is setting the highest standards for some of the toughest races ever known. powered by faith, family, and teamwork katie ledecky is a symbol of perseverance and strength with a heart of gold that shines for the nation and world. [applause]

[laughter] [applause] ellen ochoa. [applause] a granddaughter of mexican immigrants, ellen ochoa lived up to their dreams that anything is possible in america. the first in her family to go to college, she became a groundbreaking aeronautical engineer, inventor, and astronaut on her way to becoming the first hispanic woman to travel to space. in addition to nearly 1000 hours in orbit, she is the second woman to serve as is the

director of nasa's renowned a johnson space center. a bill of a trailblazer and mentor, dr. ochoa continues to inspire people around the world to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams. [applause] nancy pelosi. [applause] after raising five children with

her beloved husband, paul, and leading to the california democratic party nancy pelosi became san francisco's tireless champion in congress. as the first woman speaker of the house that she has shepherded some of our nation's most consequential laws by keeping coalitions together and standing with set up to presidents of both parties. [ laughter]] her resolve on january 6, 2021 helped guide america through one of our darkest days. for her efforts to protect freedom and democracy, nancy pelosi will be known forever as the greatest speaker of the house in american history. [applause]

[applause] jane rigby. [applause] a daughter of the great state of delaware, jane rigby's passion for astronomy began as a child peering at the stars through a small telescope in a soybean field. following her instincts and imagination, she has become a pioneering astrophysicist now managing the james webb space telescope, the most powerful telescope ever launched into space. a brilliant, prolific author, dr. rigby is an inspiration and tireless champion for the lgbtqi plus community in both her professional and public life.

she reminds us to never lose our sense of wonder, hope, and spirit of adventure as americans. [applause] teresa romero. [applause] a trailblazing labor leader, teresa romero is a champion for farmworkers across the fields,

orchards, and vineyards of america that feed our nation. born in mexico, she has built an american life and -- in service to others, standing up for one of our most vulnerable, yet essential, groups of workers giving them the voice, hope, and inspiration to push for change. with grace under fire, her fight for safe working conditions, fair pay, and a path to citizenship is bringing us closer to realizing the full promise of america as a nation of immigrants. [applause] [applause]

judy shepard. [applause] judy shepard took a mother's most profound pain and turned her son's death into a movement. matthew shepard's death --together with her husband, dennis, their courageous advocacy has driven tremendous progress in our laws and culture, giving young people and their families strength and hope for the future. the family's compassion reflects the best of america, where everyone is equally deserving of dignity and respect. [applause]

gail hannon accepting on behalf of james francis thorpe. [applause] jim thorpe was the country's original multisport athlete and one of the greatest stars in american history. a member of the nation, he embodied his given name, bright path, and became the first native american to win an olympic gold medal. he won the metal in the

decathlon and capture the public's awe as a professional athlete. he demonstrated moral courage time and time again as he overcame bigotry. jim thorpe's story reminds us of enduring contributions of tribal history to american history and the ongoing work of healing the soul of our nation. [applause] michelle yeoh. [laughter] -- [applause] michelle yeoh is one of the most

acclaimed actresses of our time. for four decades, she has faced and shattered stigma and stereotypes in a groundbreaking career, becoming the first asian to win the academy award for best actress. her efforts to advance gender equality, conservation issues and global health have been felt around the world. equal parts performer and pioneer, michelle yeoh continues to enrich american culture and inspires us to believe in possibilities on the big screen and beyond. [applause]

>> i tell you what. it makes you proud to be an american, doesn't it? [applause] let's give one more round of applause for this year's presidential medal of freedom winners. [applause]

>> distinguished guests, please remain in your seats until the president, the vice president, and the middle of freedom recipients have departed the east room. talk about the state of small businesses in the u.s. and a

discussion how education policy could change under the incoming trump administration with president and c.e.o. robert enlow. join in the conversation live on saturday eastern on c-span, c-span now or online at c-span.org. >> next week,e' bring you live oral argument from t supreme court starting monday when the justice consider a case regarding e od and drug administration's rejection of flavored pickup trucks amid concerns about underage smoking. then later in the week, there a case questioning the constitutionality of a teese ban onenr-affirming care for transgender minors y c follow that live wednesday at 10:00 a.m. easternn c-span 3. and a reminder, these oral arguntare also available on

our free mobile video app, c-an now or online at c-span.org. >> c-span is your unfiltered view of government. we're funded by these television companies and more including cox. >> when connection is need more, cox is there to help. britain eight fordable internet to families in need. new tech to boys and girl clubs and support to veterans. whenever and wherever it matters most, we'll be there >> cox supports c-span along with these other television providers. giving you a front row seat to democracy. >> next, the national constitution center jeffery rosen talks about the founding father and the virtues they follow to follow their political and from the american enterprise