Washington, D.C. – President Joe Biden presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States‘highest civilian honour, to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emeritus of the House of Representatives, for her staunch defence of democracy and for shaping the Democrats’ legislative agenda and priorities for decades.
A ceremony held at the White House on May 3, 2024 to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, to world peace or to other important public or private societal initiatives. They include civil rights activist, philanthropist, representatives, senator, journalist, athlete, actresses, educator, astronomer and many others.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honour, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal. It is awarded by decision of the President of the United States to individuals who have made ‘a particularly meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, to culture, or to other important public or private activities’. It was created in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.
"Today we have another extraordinary honor to bestow the nation's highest civilian artist of mine to 19 incredible people whose relentless curiosity, inventiveness, ingenuity and hope have kept faith in a better tomorrow," said the President Biden while presenting the award to the individuals in the White House on Friday.
US President Joe Biden presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals, including Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emeritus of the House of Representatives, on May 3, 2024. In presenting the medal, President Biden said: ‘She used her superpower to pass some of the most important legislation in our nation's history. Nancy is a brilliant, practical, principled and determined leader. She will be remembered as the greatest Speaker of the House in history."
'Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi served as the 52nd Speaker of the House and has represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 36 years. A staunch defender of democracy, she has shaped legislative agendas and Democratic priorities for decades,' a statement of White House said.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued a statement after President Biden announced that she will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor and she said, “It is with great appreciation that I accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from our great and patriotic President of the United States Joe Biden. The Medal is an honor that is respected because it is about America’s highest value: freedom."
“Freedom was the vision of our founders, has been the goal of our men and women in uniform, and is our promise to our children. It is with reverence for freedom and respect for all who have received it that I am deeply honored and forever grateful. Thank you, President Biden," She concluded.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi wrote on the X after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, "Honored to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President JoeBiden with a grateful heart and appreciation for my constituents and my family who make my public service possible and inspire the cause of freedom for all."
