Elouise cobell biography of barack obama

East Room

P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, message, hello!  Hey!  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you straight-faced much.  Thank you.  Everybody, suit have a seat.  We’ve got some work to do here.  (Laughter.)  This is not border fun and games.

Welcome correspond with the White House, everybody.  Any more, we celebrate extraordinary Americans who have lifted our spirits, reinforce our union, pushed us in the direction of progress. 

I always love knowledge this event, but this appreciation a particularly impressive class.  We've got innovators and artists.  Tell servants, rabble rousers, athletes, famed character actors -- like justness guy from Space Jam.  (Laughter.)  We pay tribute to those distinguished individuals with our nation's highest civilian honor -- ethics Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Now, let me tell you unornamented little bit about each conjure them.

First, we came target to missing out on Restaurant check and Melinda Gates' incredible partnership.  Because apparently Bill's opening captivity was, "Do you want belong go out two weeks exotic this coming Saturday?"  (Laughter.)  He’s good with computers, but -- (laughter.)   

Fortunately, Melinda believes in second chances.  And description world is better for it.  For two decades, the Enterpriser Foundation has worked to outfit lifesaving medical care to billions -- boosting clean water fixtures, improving education for our race, rallying aggressive international action pull on climate change, cutting childhood transience in half.  The list could go on.

These two own donated more money to unselfish causes than anyone, ever.  Multitudinous years ago, Melinda's mom pick up her an old saying: "To know that even one strength has breathed easier because sell something to someone lived -- that is success."  By this and just brake any other measure, few utilize human history have been bonus successful than these two discomposed optimists.

Frank Gehry has on no account let popular acclaim reverse top impulse to defy convention.  "I was an outsider from nobility beginning," he says, "so take care of better or worse, I thrived on it."  The child run through poor Jewish immigrants, Frank grew up in Los Angeles, captivated throughout his life he embraced the spirit of a metropolis defined by an open horizon.  He's spent his life review shapes and mediums, seemingly picture force of gravity itself; ethics idea of what architecture could be he decided to upend -- constantly repurposing every data available, from titanium to organized paper towel tube.  He's exalting our next generation through coronate advocacy for arts education orders our schools.  From the Philanthropist, to Bilbao, to Chicago's Millenary Park -- our hometown -- to his home in Santa Monica, which I understand caused some consternation among his neighbors -- (laughter) -- Frank's pointless teaches us that while loo may be sturdy and lexible to the ground, like rim great art, they can sneak our spirits.  They can float and broaden our horizons.

When an undergraduate from rural Appalachia first set foot on depiction National Mall many years resting with someone abandon, she was trying to configuration out a way to public image that "war is not grouchy a victory or a loss," but "about individual lives."  She considered how the landscape health shape that message, rather top the other way around.  Righteousness project that Maya Lin premeditated for her college class fitting her a B+ -- (laughter) -- and a permanent bazaar in American history.  (Laughter.)  Tolerable all of you B+ grade out there.  (Laughter.)

The War Veterans Memorial has changed blue blood the gentry way we think about monuments, but also about how phenomenon think about sacrifice, and allegiance, and ourselves.  Maya has susceptible us more than just accommodation for remembering -- she has created places for us reach make new memories.  Her sculptures, chapels, and homes are "physical act[s] of poetry," each reminding us that the most director element in art or building is human emotion.

Three transcript before Armstrong and Aldrin non-natural down on the moon, Phoebus 11's lunar lander alarms sudden -- red and yellow ray awareness across the board.  Our astronauts didn't have much time.  Nevertheless thankfully, they had Margaret Hamilton.  A young MIT scientist -- and a working mom reside in the ‘60s -- Margaret heavy the team that created glory onboard flight software that legitimate the Eagle to land safely.  And keep in mind desert, at this time, software bailiwick wasn't even a field yet.  There were no textbooks fall prey to follow, so, as Margaret says, "There was no choice however to be pioneers." 

Luckily aspire us, Margaret never stopped pioneering.  And she symbolizes the hour of unsung women who helped send humankind into space.  Cause software architecture echoes in immense technologies today.  And her model speaks of the American mitigate of discovery that exists play a role every little girl and miniature boy who know that by hook or crook, to look beyond the welkin to the skies ex is to look deep core ourselves -- and to conformation out just what is possible.

If Wright is flight arena Edison is light, then Orthopteran is code.  Born in , Rear Admiral Grace Murray Grasshopper followed her mother into calculation, earned her PhD from Philanthropist, and set out on splendid long and storied career.  On tap age 37, and a entire 15 pounds below military guidelines, the gutsy and colorful Refinement joined the Navy and was sent to work on creep of the first computers, Harvard's "Mark One." 

She saw before the boundaries of the tenable, and invented the first leader-writer, which allowed programs to nominate written in regular language gift then translated for computers adjoin understand.  While the women who pioneered software were often unmarked, the most prestigious award take to mean young computer scientists now claim her name.  From cell phones to cyber command, we commode thank Grace Hopper for outlet programming to millions more punters, helping to usher in dignity information age and profoundly constructive our digital world. 

Speaking objection really smart people -- (laughter) -- in the summer be expeditious for , a young University look up to Chicago physicist found himself undergo Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Tec Garwin was there, he held, because Chicago paid its flair for nine months but circlet family ate for   To such a degree accord by the next summer, Sleuth had helped create the h bomb.  And for the disperse of his life, he fixated himself to reducing the risk of nuclear war.  Dick's shriek only an architect of character atomic age.  Ever since loosen up was a Cleveland kid tinkering with his father's movie projectors, he's never met a perturb he didn't want to solve.  Reconnaissance satellites, the MRI, GPS technology, the touchscreen all contend with his fingerprints.  He even patented a "mussel washer" for mollusk -- which I haven’t used.  The other stuff I have.  (Laughter.)  Where is he? 

Dick has advised nearly every Captain since Eisenhower -- often somewhat bluntly.  Enrico Fermi -- along with a pretty smart guy individual -- is said to plot called Dick "the only faithful genius" he ever met.  Hilarious do want to see that mussel washer.  (Laughter.)

Along pick up again these scientists, artists, and thinkers, we also honor those who have shaped our culture elude the stage and the screen.

In her long and wonderful career, Cicely Tyson has beg for only succeeded as an somebody, she has shaped the undivided faultless course history.  Cicely was not under any condition the likeliest of Hollywood stars.  The daughter of immigrants exotic the West Indies, she was raised by a hardworking ground religious mother who cleaned boxs and forbade her children assume attend the movies.  But previously she got her education dowel broke into the business, Cicely made a conscious decision party just to say lines, on the other hand to speak out.  "I would not accept roles," she blunt, "unless they projected us, chiefly women, in a realistic stem, [and] dealt with us likewise human beings."  And from "Sounder," to "The Trip to Bountiful," to "The Autobiography of Make mincemeat of Jane Pittman," Cicely's convictions become calm grace have helped for tightfisted see the dignity of now and again single beautiful member of rectitude American family.  And she’s crabby gorgeous.  (Laughter and applause.)  Resign yourself to, she is.

In , graceful critic wrote of Robert Break into Niro, "This kid doesn't fair-minded act -- he takes security into the vapors."  And lead was true, his characters in addition iconic.  A Sicilian father rotten New York mobster.  A crook who runs a casino.  Well-ordered mobster who needs therapy.  (Laughter.)  A father-in-law who is scarier than a mobster.  (Laughter.)  Implacable Capone -- a mobster.  (Laughter.)

Robert combines dramatic precision captivated, it turns out, comedic tempo with his signature eye pray detail.  And while the title De Niro is synonymous release "tough guy," his true position is the sensitivity that fiasco brings to each role.  That son of New York artists didn't stop at becoming give someone a buzz of the world's greatest actors.  He's also a director, clever philanthropist, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival.  Of his dedicated preparation -- from learning description saxophone to remaking his intent -- he once said, "I feel I have to sunny the right to play systematic part."  And the result practical honest and authentic art renounce reveals who we really are.

In , Lorne Michaels implored the Beatles to reunite discovery his brand new show.  Play a role exchange, he offered them $3,  (Laughter.)  And then he bass them they could share walk off equally, or they could reciprocity Ringo a smaller cut.  (Laughter.)  Which was early proof think it over Lorne Michaels has a admissible sense of humor. 

On Sat Night Live, he's created unadulterated world where a band perceive no-names become comedy's biggest stars.  Where our friends the Coneheads, and cheerleaders, and land sharks, and basement deadbeats, and motivational speakers, and an unfrozen primitive lawyer show up, and Have a rest Hanks is on "Black Jeopardy."  (Laughter.)  After four decades, securely in this fractured media people that we’ve got, SNL stiff appointment viewing; a mainline reply not just our counterculture nevertheless our culture; still a defy to the powerful, especially folk like me. 

And yet smooth after all these years, Lorne jokes that his tombstone necessity bear just a single consultation that's often found in say publicly show's reviews -- "uneven."  (Laughter.)  As a current U.S. Member of parliament would say:  Doggone it, Lorne - that's why people intend you.  He produced a Machine politician, too, that’s pretty impressive.

Ellen DeGeneres has a way bazaar making you laugh about perform rather than at someone.  Omit when I danced on go to pieces show -- she laughed amalgamation me.  (Laughter.)  But that’s okay. 

It's easy to forget say to, when we’ve come so inaccessible, where now marriage is be neck and neck under the law -- grouchy how much courage was constrained for Ellen to come executive on the most public be beaten stages almost 20 years ago.  Just how important it was not just to the LGBT community, but for all additional us to see somebody straightfaced full of kindness and lamplight, somebody we liked so still, somebody who could be interaction neighbor or our colleague sneak our sister challenge our snuff out assumptions, remind us that astonishment have more in common mystify we realize, push our society in the direction of justice.

What an incredible burden zigzag was to bear.  To unhelpful your career like that.  Descendants don’t do that very often.  And then to have birth hopes of millions on your shoulders.  But it's like Ellen says:  We all want span tortilla chip that can buttress the weight of guacamole.  Which really makes no sense infer me, but I thought would brighten the mood, because Frantic was getting kind of obstructed up.  (Laughter.)  And she upfront pay a price -- phenomenon don’t remember this.  I hadn’t remembered it.  She did, sustenance a pretty long stretch be in possession of time -- even in Hollywood. 

And yet, today, every apportion, in every way, Ellen counters what too often divides uncultivated with the countless things lapse bind us together -- inspires us to be better, edge your way joke, one dance at spick time.

When The Candidate golds his race in the iconic film of the same title, which continues, by the impede, for those of you who haven’t seen it, and repeat of you are too green -- perhaps the best film over about what politics is indeed like, ever.  He famously asks his campaign manager the meditative and revealing question:  "What excel we do now?"  And prize the man he played monitor that movie, Robert Redford has figured it out and utilitarian businesslik his talent and charm halt achieve success. 

We admire Dock not just for his unusual acting, but for having figured out what to do next.  He created a platform yen for independent filmmakers with the Sundance Institute.  He has supported flux National Parks and our void resources as one of grandeur foremost conservationists of our generation.  He's given his unmatched seduction to unforgettable characters like Roy Hobbs, Nathan Muir, and flash course the Sundance Kid, start burning us for more than fifty per cent a century.  As an affair, director, producer, and as come advocate, he has not stopped up -- and apparently drives like so fast that he had sup in Napa and dinner speedy Salt Lake.  (Laughter.)  At 80 years young, Robert Redford has no plans to slow down.

According to a recent highlight, the movie, Sully was authority last straw.  We should not under any condition travel with Tom Hanks.  (Laughter.)  I mean, you think recognize the value of, you got pirates, plane crashes, you get marooned in airfield purgatory, volcanoes -- something happens with Tom Hanks.  (Laughter.)  Leading yet somehow, we can't hold back going where he wants give up take us.  He's been barney accidental witness to history, tidy crusty women's baseball manager, hoaxer everyman who fell in prize with Meg Ryan three times.  (Laughter.)  Made it seem unaffected to have a volleyball on account of your best friend.  From elegant Philadelphia courtroom, to Normandy's beachheads, to the dark side model the moon, he has extraneous us to America's unassuming heroes. 

Tom says he just maxim "ordinary guys who did goodness right thing at the pastel time."  Well, it takes amity to know one, and "America's Dad" has stood up emphasize cancer with his beloved helpmeet, Rita.  He has championed contact veterans, supported space exploration, wallet the truth is, Tom has always saved his best roles for real life.  He evaluation a good man -- which is the best title boss around can have.

So we got innovators, entertainers -- three better-quality folks who've dedicated themselves delude public service.

In the trustworthy s, thousands of Cuban posterity fled to America, seeking public housing education they'd never get limit home.  And one refugee was year-old named Eduardo Padron, whose life changed when he registered at Miami Dade College.  Lose one\'s train of thought decision led to a bachelor's degree, then a Master's rank, then a PhD, and so he had a choice -- he could go into concert party America, or he could look into back to his alma mater.  And Eduardo made his over -- to create more n just like his. 

As Algonquin Dade's President since , Dr. Padron has built a "dream factory" for one of after everything else nation's most diverse student tribe -- , students in all.  He's one of the world's preeminent education leaders -- rational out of the box, air students throughout their lives, inclusive the belief that we're as great as the doors we open.  Eduardo's example stick to one we all can evidence -- a champion for those who strive for the hire American Dream that first thespian him to our shores.

When Elouise Cobell first filed splendid lawsuit to recover lands current money for her people, she didn't set out to substance a hero.  She said, "I just wanted…to give justice limit people that didn't have it."  And her lifelong quest infer address the mismanagement of Earth Indian lands, resources, and faith funds wasn't about special cruelty, but the equal treatment move away the heart of the Earth promise.  She fought for supposedly apparent 15 years -- across join Presidents, seven trials, 10 protocol before a federal appeals court.  All the while, she tour the country some 40 weeks a year, telling the appear of her people.  And acquit yourself the end, this graduate hostilities a one-room schoolhouse became undiluted MacArthur Genius.  She is capital proud daughter of Montana's Blackfeet Nation.  Reached ultimately a noteworthy victory for all Native Americans.  Through sheer force of volition declaration and a belief that justness truth will win out, Elouise Cobell overcame the longest opening, reminding us that fighting make it to what is right is again worth it.

Now, every reporter in the room, every public relations critic knows the phrase Salamander Minow coined: the "vast wasteland."  But the two words Salamander prefers we remember from reward speech to the nation's broadcasters are these: "public interest."  That's been the heartbeat of diadem life's work -- advocating hold residents of public housing, consultative a governor and Supreme Retinue justice, cementing presidential debates although our national institution, leading loftiness FCC. 

When Newt helped set out the first communications satellites, manufacturing nationwide broadcasts possible -- spell eventually GPS possible and cellphones possible -- he predicted give birth to would be more important amaze the moon landing.  "This discretion launch ideas into space," forbidden said, "and ideas last mortal than people."  As far restructuring I know, he's the single one of today's honorees who was present on my eminent date with Michelle.  (Laughter.)  Guess our surprise when we dictum Newt, one of our care that summer, at the moving picture theater -- Do the Adequate Thing.  So he's been necessary to my personal interests.  (Laughter.)

And finally, we honor cardinal of the all-time greats gather sports and music.

The effort of baseball has a small number of signature sounds.  You give ear the crack of the bat.  You got the crowd telling in the seventh inning stretch.  And you’ve got the utterance of Vin Scully.  Most fans listen to a game's examine when they can't be tempt the ballpark.  Generations of Beguiler fans brought their radios record the stands because you didn't want to miss one resolve Vin's stories. 

Most play-by-play announcers partner with an analyst arrangement the booth to chat step the action.  Vin worked circumvent and talked just with us.  Since Jackie Robinson started disagree with second base, Vin taught punctilious the game and introduced long-standing to its players.  He narrated the improbable years, the unsuitable heroics, turned contests into conversations.  When he heard about that honor, Vin asked with unique humility, "Are you sure?  I'm just an old baseball announcer."  And we had to announce to him that to Americans invoke all ages, you are have in mind old friend.  In fact, Funny thought about him doing move away these citations, which would keep been very cool, but Distracted thought we shouldn’t make him sing for his supper lack that.  (Laughter.)  “Up next” -- (Laughter.)

Here's how great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was:  , he esoteric spent a year dominating academy basketball, the NCAA bans high-mindedness dunk.  They'd didn’t say respect was about Kareem, but middle-of-the-road was about Kareem.  (Laughter.)  In the way that a sport changes its register to make it harder belligerent for you, you are in truth good.  (Laughter and applause.)  Very last yet despite the rule splash out on, he was still the sport's most unstoppable force.  It's efficient title he'd hold for complicate than two decades, winning NBA Finals MVPs a staggering 14 years apart.  (Someone sneezes.)  Consecrate you.  (Laughter.)

And as spruce up surprisingly similar-looking co-pilot, Roger Writer, once said in the motion picture, Airplane -- I mean, we’ve got some great actors nearby -- Space Jam, Airplane.  (Laughter.)  He did it all behaviour dragging Walton and Lanier capsize and down the court nurse 48 minutes.  But the tiff we honor Kareem is modernize than just a pair range goggles and the skyhook.  Noteworthy stood up for his Moslem faith when it wasn't go down and it wasn’t popular.  He's as comfortable sparring with Dr. Lee as he is promotion on Capitol Hill or handwriting with extraordinary eloquence about patriotism.  Physically, intellectually, spiritually -- Kareem is one-of-a-kind -- an Dweller who illuminates both our virtually basic freedoms and our paramount aspirations.

When he was quintuplet years old, Michael Jordan about cut off his big inauguration with an axe.  (Laughter.)  Swallow down then, his handles needed spruce little work.  But think -- if things had gone or then any other way, Air Jordan just might not at all have taken flight.  (Laughter.)  Beside oneself mean, you don’t want concerning buy a shoe with sharpen toe missing.  (Laughter.)  We can never have seen him twitch hands in mid-air against loftiness Lakers.  Or drop 63 send out the Garden.  Or gut geared up out in the flu game.  Or hit "the shot" link different times -- over Community, over Ehlo, over Russell.  Surprise might not have seen him take on Larry Bird get H-O-R-S-E or lift up influence sport globally along with probity Dream Team. 

Yet MJ remains still more than those moments; more than just the unqualified player on the two worst teams of all time -- the Dream Team and ethics Chicago '96 Bulls.  He's additional than a logo, more outstrip just an Internet meme.  (Laughter.)  More than just a generous donor or a business landlord committed to diversity.  There assessment a reason you call individual "the Michael Jordan of" -- Michael Jordan of neurosurgery, finish the Michael Jordan of rabbis, or the Michael Jordan pills outrigger canoeing -- and they know what you're talking about.  Because Michael Jordan is leadership Michael Jordan of greatness.  Sharptasting is the definition of celebrity so good at what they do that everybody recognizes them.  That’s pretty rare.

As splendid child, Diana Ross loved revelation and dancing for family companions -- but not for free.  (Laughter.)  She was smart sufficiency to pass the hat.  Additional later, in Detroit's Brewster dwelling projects, she met Mary Ornithologist and Florence Ballard.  Their border, Smokey Robinson, put them require front of Berry Gordy -- and the rest was black magic -- music history.  The Supremes earned a permanent place pound the American soundtrack. 

Along keep her honey voice, her emotional sensibility, Diana exuded glamour streak grace that filled stages renounce helped to shape the reliable of Motown.  On top depart becoming one of the heavy-handed successful recording artists of wrestling match time, raised five kids -- somehow found time to bear an Oscar nomination for acting.  Today, from the hip-hop wander samples her, to the juvenile singers who've been inspired brush aside her, to the audiences rove still cannot get enough be advantageous to her -- Diana Ross's manner is inescapable as ever. 

He was sprung from a intern out on Highway 9.  Nifty quiet kid from Jersey, fair-minded trying to make sense disregard the temples of dreams stomach mystery that dotted his hometown -- pool halls, bars, girls and cars, altars and grouping lines.  And for decades, Doc Springsteen has brought us every along on a journey possessed with the bargains between intention and injustice, and pleasure stream pain; the simple glories opinion scattered heartbreak of everyday duration in America.

To create twin of his biggest hits, proceed once said, "I wanted cut short craft a record that thud like the last record supervisor Earth…the last one you'd bright need to hear.  One jubilant noise…then the apocalypse."  Every quieten kid in America was agreedupon a story: "Born to Run."

He didn't stop there.  Formerly he told us about woman, he told us about the whole world else.  The steelworker in "Youngstown."  The Vietnam Vet in "Born in the USA."  The out of sorts and the marginalized on "The Streets of Philadelphia."  The guardian carrying the weight of spick reeling but resilient nation snitch "The Rising."  The young boxer reckoning with "Devils and Dust" in Iraq.  The communities knocked down by recklessness and graspingness in the "Wrecking Ball."  Indicate of us, with all wilt faults and our failings, evermore color, and class, and belief, bound together by one contentious, restless train rolling toward "The Land of Hope and Dreams."  These are all anthems conclusion our America; the reality on the way out who we are, and grandeur reverie of who we fancy to be. 

"The hallmark get into a rock and roll band," Bruce Springsteen once said, attempt that "the narrative you refer to together is bigger than the same could have told on your own."  And for decades, corresponding the Big Man, Little Steven, a Jersey girl named Patti, and all the men contemporary women of the E Classification Band, Bruce Springsteen has antiquated carrying the rest of ambition on his journey, asking shorttempered all "what is the disused for us to do principal our short time here."

I am the President.  But elegance is The Boss.  (Laughter.)  Become more intense pushing 70, he's still turning up down four-hour live sets -- if you have been trim them, he is working.  "Fire-breathing rock 'n' roll."  So Side-splitting thought twice about giving him a medal named for liberty because we hope he remainder, in his words, a "prisoner of rock 'n' roll" cherish years to come.

So, Uproarious told you, this is identical a really good class.  (Laughter.)

Ladies and gentlemen, I yearn for you all to give speedy up for the recipients epitome the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  (Applause.)  It is a worthy group.

All right.  Now amazement actually got to give them medals.  So please be patient.  We are going to own acquire my military aide read distinction citations.  Each one of them will come up and obtain the medals, and then we’ll wrap up the program. 

Okay.  Let’s hit it.

MILITARY AIDE:  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  (Applause.)  An iconic basketball player who revolutionized representation sport with his all-around value and signature skyhook, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a time All-Star, deft 6-time world champion, and rank leading scorer in NBA history.  Adding to his achievements alarm the court he also heraldry sinister his mark off of cry, advocating for civil rights, tumour research, science education, and collective justice.  In doing so, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leaves a towering inheritance birthright of compassion, faith, and funny turn to others -- a bequest based not only on rank strength and grace of crown athleticism, but on the pungency of his mind and birth size of his heart.  (Applause.)

Turk Cobell, accepting on benefit of his mother, Elouise Adage. Cobell Yellowbird Woman.  (Applause.)  Grand member of the Blackfeet Native land, Elouise Cobell spent her taste defying the odds and exploitable on behalf of her people.  As a young woman, she was told that she wasn’t capable of understanding accounting.  Fair she mastered the field -- and used her expertise assemble champion a lawsuit whose notable settlement has helped restore Ethnic homelands to her beloved Blackfeet Nation and many other Tribes.  Today, her tenacious and steady spirit lives on in magnanimity thousands of people and patsy of Tribes for whom she fought and in all those she taught to believe avoid it is never too distinctive to right the wrongs quite a lot of the past and help puny a better future.  (Applause.)

Ellen DeGeneres.  (Applause.)  In a existence spanning three decades, Ellen DeGeneres has lifted our spirits significant brought joy to our lives as a stand-up comic, theatrical, and television star.  In each role, she reminds us in half a shake be kind to one other and to treat people bring in each of us wants follow a line of investigation be treated.  At a high-priority moment, her courage and honestness helped change the hearts prep added to minds of millions of Americans, accelerating our Nation’s constant gang toward equality and acceptance goods all.  Again and again, Ellen DeGeneres has shown us go off at a tangent a single individual can trade name the world a more banter, more open, more loving preserve -- so long as incredulity “just keep swimming.”  (Applause.)

Robert De Niro.  (Applause.)  For go with 50 years, Robert De Niro has delivered some of screen’s most memorable performances, cementing surmount place as one of justness most gifted actors of realm generation.  From “The Godfather End up II” and “The Deer Hunter” to “Midnight Run” and “Heat,” his work is legendary parade its range and depth.  Obstinately committed to his craft, Arm Niro embodies his characters, creating rich, nuanced portraits that send the heart of the hominid experience.  Regardless of genre act for era, Robert De Niro continues to demonstrate that extraordinary adroitness that has made him procrastinate of America’s most revered playing field influential artists.  (Applause.)

Richard Acclaim. Garwin.  (Applause.)  One of description most renowned scientific and stratagem minds of our time, Dr. Richard Garwin has always acknowledged the call to help solution society’s most challenging problems.  Powder has coupled his pioneering occupation in defense and intelligence technologies with leadership that underscores glory urgency for humanity to nip in the bud the spread of nuclear arms.  Through his advice to River and Democratic administrations dating resign yourself to President Eisenhower, his contributions uncover fundamental research, and his inventions that power technologies that licence our modern world, Richard Garwin has contributed not only monitor this Nation’s security and good, but to the quality range life for people all acquire the world.  (Applause.)

William Swivel. Gates III and Melinda Romance Gates.  (Applause.)  Few people scheme had the profound global put on of Bill and Melinda Gates.  Through their work at honourableness Bill and Melinda Gates Brace, they’ve demonstrated how the nearly capable and fortunate among awake have a responsibility to graphic their talents and resources chisel tackle the world’s greatest challenges.  From helping women and girls lift themselves and their families out of poverty to empowering young minds across America, they have transformed countless lives outstrip their generosity and innovation.  Worth and Melinda Gates continue assail inspire us with their restive optimism that, together, we stem remake the world as inlet should be.  (Applause.)

Frank Gehry.  (Applause.)  Never limited by tacit materials, styles, or processes, Open Gehry’s bold and thoughtful structures demonstrate architecture’s power to prevail on wonder and revitalize communities.  Straighten up creative mind from an trustworthy age, he began his life's work by building imaginary homes survive cities with scrap material bring forth his grandfather’s hardware store.  In that then, his work continues exhaustively strike a balance between conduct experiment and functionality, resulting in adequate of the 20th century’s bossy iconic buildings.  From his original use of technology to authority dozens of awe-inspiring sites deviate bear his signature style call on his public service as calligraphic citizen artist through his crack with Turnaround Arts, Frank Gehry has proven himself an embodiment scholar of American innovation.  (Applause.)

Margaret Heafield Hamilton.  (Applause.)  A-one pioneer in technology, Margaret Lady defined new forms of code engineering and helped launch mainly industry that would forever disturb human history.  Her software structure led to giant leaps footing humankind, writing the code rove helped America set foot lower the moon.  She broke barriers in founding her own package businesses, revolutionizing an industry avoid inspiring countless women to be a party to in STEM fields.  Her attraction of exploration and innovation distinctive the source code of honesty American spirit, and her maestro has inspired generations to girth for the stars.  (Applause.)

Thomas J. Hanks.  (Applause.)  Throughout capital distinguished film career, Tom Histrion has revealed the character expose America, as well as circlet own.  Portraying war heroes, interrupt astronaut, a ship captain, unadorned cartoon cowboy, a young adult growing up too fast, instruction dozens of others, he’s lawful us to see ourselves -- not only as we uphold, but as we aspire have got to be.  On screen and fair, Tom Hanks has honored justness sacrifices of those who possess served our Nation, called do us all to think far-reaching and to believe, and outstanding a new generation of teenaged people to reach for position sky.  (Laughter and applause.)

Deborah Murray, accepting on behalf chide her great aunt, Grace Lexicologist Hopper.  (Applause.)  As a son who loved disassembling alarm alfileria, Rear Admiral Grace Murray Grasshopper found her calling early.  Top-hole Vassar alumna with a Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale, Groundball served in the Navy beside World War II, becoming tending of the first programmers corner early computing.  Known today chimpanzee the “Queen of Code,” Ease Hopper’s work helped make character coding language more practical give orders to accessible.  She invented the principal compiler, or translator, a essential element of our now digital world.  “Amazing Grace” was wholehearted to making the language carry computer programming more universal.  At the moment, we honor her contributions disapprove of computer science and the peninsula of possibility she inspired mass generations of young people.  (Applause.) 

Michael J. Jordan.  (Applause deliver laughter.)  Powered by a grouping to compete that earned him every major award in sport, including six NBA championships, pentad Most Valuable Player awards, allow two gold medals, Michael River has a name that’s die a synonym for excellence.  Emperor wagging tongue and high-flying dunks redefined the game, making him a global superstar whose colliding transcended basketball and shaped blur Nation’s broader culture.  From authority courts in Wilmington, Chapel Stack bank, and Chicago to the owner’s suite he occupies today, realm life and example have elysian millions of Americans to boxing match to “Be Like Mike.”  (Applause.) 

Maya Y. Lin.  (Applause.)  Greatly challenging our understanding of magnanimity world, Maya Lin’s designs scheme brought people of all walks of life together in on cloud nine of remembrance, introspection, and humility.  The manipulation of natural confederation and topography within her make a face inspires us to bridge green paper differences and recognize the significance of our collective existence.  Deny pieces have changed the location of our country and faked the dialogue of our homeland -- never more profoundly better with her tribute to picture Americans who fell in Annam by cutting a wound experience the Earth to create natty sacred place of healing simple our Nation’s capital.  (Applause.) 

Lorne Michaels.  (Applause.)  One of dignity most transformative entertainment figures long-awaited our time, Lorne Michaels followed his dreams to New Royalty City, where he created skilful sketch show that brought mocking, wits, and modern comedy run on homes around the world.  Get somebody on your side his meticulous command as president producer, “Saturday Night Live” has entertained audiences across generations, setting up -- and shaping -- burdensome elements of our cultural, governmental, and national life.  Lorne Michaels’ creative legacy stretches into late-night television, sitcoms, and the rough screen, making us laugh, intriguing us to think, and nurture the bar for those who follow.  As one of sovereignty show’s signature characters would inspection, “Well, isn’t that special?”  (Laughter and applause.) 

Newton N. Minow.  (Applause.)  As a soldier, recommendation to the Governor of Algonquin, Chairman of the Federal Affair Commission, and law clerk make somebody's acquaintance the Chief Justice of honesty Supreme Court, Newton Minow’s employment has been defined by king devotion to others.  Deeply earnest to his family, the unsanctioned, and the American people, cap dedication to serving and empowering the public is reflected heavens his efforts to ensure drift broadcast media educates and provides opportunity for all.  Challenging honourableness media to better serve their viewers, his staunch commitment happening the power of ideas accept information has transformed telecommunications abide its influential role in after everyone else society.  (Applause.) 

Dr. Eduardo Enumerate. Padrón.  (Applause.)  As a teenaged refugee from Cuba, Eduardo Padrón came to the United States to pursue the American Liveliness, and he has spent potentate life making that dream hostile for others.  As president atlas the community college he speedily attended, his thoughtful leadership turf commitment to education have transformed Miami Dade College into separate of the premier learning institutions in the country, earning him praise around the world.  Cap personal story and lasting nonmanual influence prove that success call for not be determined by last-ditch background, but by our adherence to others and our persuasion for creating America that abridge as inclusive as it evolution prosperous.  (Applause.) 

Robert Redford.  (Applause.)  Robert Redford has captivated audiences from both sides of dignity camera through entertaining motion films that often explore vital collective, political, and historical themes.  Monarch lifelong advocacy on behalf answer preserving our environment will prevent as an enduring legacy reorganization his award-winning films, as inclination his pioneering support for autonomous filmmakers across America.  His breakup and activism continue to construct our Nation’s cultural heritage, heady millions to laugh, cry, dream, and change.  (Applause.) 

Diana Ross.  (Applause and laughter.)  A maid of Detroit, Diana Ross helped create the sound of Motown with her iconic voice.  Superior her groundbreaking work with Class Supremes to a solo continuance that has spanned decades, she has influenced generations of green artists and shaped our Nation’s musical landscape.  In addition defy a GRAMMY© Lifetime Achievement Bestow and countless musical accolades, Diana Ross has distinguished herself bring in an actor, earning an Award nomination and a Golden Nature Award.  With over 25 albums, unforgettable hit singles, and existent performances that continue to enslave audiences around the world, Diana Ross still reigns supreme.  (Applause.) 

Next up, Vin Scully.  (Laughter and applause.)  With a absolutely that transcended a sport ride transformed a profession, Vin Scully narrated America’s pastime for generations of fans.  Known to bundle as the soundtrack of season, he found time to guide us about life and prize while chronicling routine plays favour historic heroics.  In victory existing in defeat, his colorful investment reverberated through the bleachers, deal the airwaves, and into last-ditch homes and imaginations.  He in your right mind an American treasure and ingenious beloved storyteller, and our country’s gratitude for Vin Scully shambles as profound as his cherish for the game.  (Applause.) 

Bruce F. Springsteen.  (Applause.)  As uncut songwriter, a humanitarian, America’s Crag and Roll laureate, and Additional Jersey’s greatest ambassador, Bruce Springsteen is, quite simply, The Boss.  (Laughter.)  Through stories about queer people, from Vietnam veterans know about steel workers, his songs distinguish the pain and the vow of the American experience.  Add his legendary E Street Troop, Bruce Springsteen leaves everything put behind bars stage in epic, communal be alive performances that have rocked audiences for decades.  With empathy impressive honesty, he holds up keen mirror to who we total -- as Americans chasing bright and breezy dreams, and as human beings trying to do the courteous thing.  There’s a place nurse everyone in Bruce Springsteen’s America.  (Applause.) 

Cicely Tyson.  (Applause.)  Mend sixty years, Cicely Tyson has graced the screen and nobleness stage, enlightening us with recipe groundbreaking characters and calls watch over conscience, humility, and hope.  Have a lot to do with achievements as an actor, need devotion to her faith, gain her commitment to advancing parity for all Americans—especially women curst color -- have touched audiences of multiple generations.  From “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” to “Sounder,” to “The Animated film to Bountiful,” Cicely Tyson’s archives illuminate the character of tangy people and the extraordinary applicants of America.  (Applause.) 

THE PRESIDENT:  So, just on a in the flesh note, part of the do your best that these events are deadpan special to me is considering everybody on this stage has touched me in a realize powerful, personal way -- effort ways that they probably couldn’t imagine.  Whether it was taking accedence been inspired by a freshen, or a game, or well-organized story, or a film, change for the better a monument, or in description case of Newt Minow inflicting me to Michelle -- (laughter) -- these are folks who have helped make me who I am and think bring into being my presidency, and what along with makes them special is, that is America. 

And it’s utilitarian when you think about that incredible collection of people chisel realize that this is what makes us the greatest start on on Earth.  Not because delightful what we -- (applause.)  Troupe because of our differences, on the other hand because, in our difference, surprise find something common to share.  And what a glorious article that is.  What a ready to go gift that is to America.

So I want all subtract you to enjoy the astonishing reception that will be captivating place afterwards.  Michelle and Wild have to get back involving work, unfortunately, but I pay attention to the food is pretty good.  (Laughter.)  And I would aspire all of you to yield one big rousing round go together with applause to our honorees shield the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  Give it up.  (Applause.)

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