Muhammad Yunus Awarded US Presidential Medal of Freedom
Superville, D.

President Barack Obama is awarding the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16 people, including Professor Muhammad Yunus. Other recipients include Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Mary Robinson, former prime minster of Ireland; Senator Ted Kennedy; Justice Sandra Day O’Conner; and Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery.

"Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way," Obama said. "Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive."

The White House announced the list of recipients Thursday. The medals, representing the nation's highest honor for a civilian, are the first to be awarded by Obama. He will present them at a White House ceremony on Aug. 12.

Deemed the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom honors those who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States or to world peace or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." Past recipients include Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King, Jr.

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