 From my days on the dinner circuit in Hollywood, I can remember when associations Holding a dinner and wanted someone prominent in public life to attend their annual dinner They'd notify the individual that he or she had recently won the society's highest award An award that they could collect if they showed up And if they didn't they'd pick somebody else to give the honor to Well a couple of months ago an invitation for lunch at the White House was sent to some of the individuals gathered in this room today An invitation that also notified them they were recipients of this country's highest civilian honor But I want to assure you that as flattered as Nancy and I are to have you here This was not some conspiracy on our part to get this distinguished and talented group over to the house for lunch Because you see the invitation didn't really come from us at all it comes from an entire nation from all of America For your achievements in diplomacy Entertainment government politics learning culture and science the American people honor you today Each of you has achieved that hardest of all things to achieve in his life something that will last and endure and take on a life of its own My guess is that probably as long as this nation lasts Your descendants will speak with pride of the day you attended a White House ceremony and received this the Medal of Freedom America's highest civilian honor and 50 years from now a century from now Historians will know your names and your achievements You've left humanity a legacy and on behalf of the American people Nancy and I want to congratulate you You know one of our medal winners today once made a film with Frank Capra about a man who took his own life for granted and was Saddened by how little impact he seemed to have had on the world But then a benevolent angel gave him the opportunity to see how different his hometown would have been had he not lived The man was astonished to discover how much good he had done without knowing it How many people he had touched and how many late lives he'd made richer and happier Well more than you'll ever know This world would have been a much poorer and a dimmer place without each of you In a million countless ways You've inspired and uplifted your fellow men and women and we want you never to forget that and We're grateful to you for it. Also It's a wonderful day for you and your families and for Nancy and myself And I was just thinking sometimes it's fun to be president But I'm about to present the medals But I want each of you to know that it comes with a heartfelt thanks the admiration and pride of the some 238 million Americans who couldn't here be here for lunch, but are believe me here in spirit so now the first Medal of Freedom goes to Count Basie and it will be received by his son Aaron Woodward for more than half a century William Count Basie and raptured the people of America with his brilliant and innovative work in the field of jazz in the 1930s and 40s the count became part of the fabric of American life as the leader of one of the greatest bands of the Big Band era his songs from April in Paris to one o'clock jump our American classics Count Basie cut a notch in musical history and found a place in our hearts forever Among the royalty of American arts and entertainment. There is no one more honored and more beloved than the count There's a middle name here that's bothering me I had her used it before myself, but Captain Jacques Eves Cousteau For decades Captain Jacques Eves Cousteau has been a celebrated undersea explorer His journeys aboard the Calypso have become known to millions through his books and films his manned undersea colonies yielded wealth of research and Data and made more important or made important technical advances His aqua lung has made underwater diving available to all Captain Cousteau perhaps has done more than any other individual To reveal the mysteries of the oceans that cover more than two-thirds of the surface of our planet It is therefore likely that he will be remembered not only as a pioneer in his time But as a dominant figure in world history and Dr. Jerome Holland received and his wife Mrs. Laura Holland Dr. Jerome Hartwell Holland one of 13 children in a small-town family in New York State Rows from poverty to become a leading educator civil rights activist author and diplomat Dr. Holland dedicated his career to improving the lives of others particularly his fellow black Americans and To working for peace a man of vigor and wisdom Dr. Holland led a life of service the memory of which today serves as an inspiration to millions Sydney Hook Scholar philosopher and thinker Sydney Hook stands as one of the most eminent intellectual forces of our time His commitment to rational thought and civil discourse has made him an eloquent spokesman for fair play in public life His devotion to freedom made him one of the first to warn the intellectual world of its moral obligations and personal stake in The struggle between freedom and totalitarianism man of truth man of action Sydney Hook's life and work making one of America's greatest scholars Patriots and lovers of liberty Gene Kirkpatrick For four years as the representative of the United States to the United Nations Ambassador Gene Kirkpatrick held high the flag of our country with courage and wisdom She is an endlessly articulate spokeswoman for the moral and practical benefits of freedom and a tireless defender of the decency of the West Gene Kirkpatrick is a patriot and there is no honor more appropriate for her than one entitled the presidential medal of freedom. It's bestowed this day by a nation that knows Gene Kirkpatrick's great work has only just begun Dr. George M. Low, this will be received by his wife Mrs. Mary Low During his distinguished public service at NASA Dr. George M. Low helped lead this nation's space program to its greatest achievements Directing the first man landing on the moon and planning the shuttle program As president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he continued to make his mark on the future Improving academic excellence and launching a program to spur technological innovation Our nation will be reaping the benefits of his wisdom and vision for years to come Frank Reynolds be received by Mrs. Henriana Reynolds Reporter and anchor man family man and the patriot Frank Reynolds life exemplified the highest standards Of his profession his commitment to the truth his Unfailing sense of fairness his long experience as both witness and participant in the great events of our time Earned him the respect of his colleagues and the trust and admiration of the American people We honor his memory for his aggressive, but fair-minded reporting and devotion to profession to family and to country as Dylan Ripley Upon becoming secretary of the Smithsonian Institute as Dylan Ripley ordered the statue of Joseph Henry turned So that it faced not inward toward the castle, but outward toward the mall thereby signaling his intentions to open the institution to the world During the next 20 years as Dylan Ripley did just that Opening eight museums and doubling the number of visitors to the institution With dedication and tireless effort as Dylan Ripley made the Smithsonian one of the greatest museums and centers of learning on earth Frank Sinatra For nearly 50 years Americans have been putting their dreams away and letting one man take their place in our hearts Singer actor Humanitarian patron of art and mentor of artists Francis Albert Sinatra And his impact on America's popular culture are without peer His love of country his generosity toward those less fortunate his distinctive art and his winning and passionate Persona make him one of our most remarkable and distinguished Americans and one who truly did it his way James M. Stewart James Maitland Stewart arrived in Hollywood in 1935 Today half a century later His credits include more than 70 pictures Including such classics as mr. Smith goes to Washington the Philadelphia story and it's a wonderful life a Patriot, Mr. Stewart served with distinction as a pilot during World War two rising to the rank of Colonel in the Eighth Air Force His typically American characters Boyish honest and kind Mirror the Jimmy Stewart in real life an American boy who grew to a glorious manhood But never lost his sense of wonder or his innocence Lieutenant General Albert C. Weedemeyer as one of America's most distinguished soldiers and Patriots Albert C. Weedemeyer has earned the gratitude of his country and the admiration of his countrymen In the face of crisis and controversy his integrity and his opposition to totalitarianism Remained unshakable for his resolute defense of liberty and his abiding sense of personal honor Albert C. Weedemeyer has earned the thanks and the deep affection of all who struggle for the cause of human freedom Chuck Yeager a hero in war and peace Charles Yeager has served his country with dedication and courage beyond ordinary measure on October 14th 1947 in a rocket plane, which he named glamorous glenus after his wife Chuck Yeager became the first human being to travel faster than the speed of sound and In doing so showed to the world the real meaning of the right stuff Well, that concludes our presentation And congratulations to all of you who've made all of our lives richer Thank you. God bless you all