    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [June 22, 1993]
    [Page 921]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    White House Statement on the Posthumous Award of the Presidential Medal
    of Freedom to Arthur Ashe
    June 22, 1993

        The President awarded a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom,
    the Nation's highest civilian honor, to tennis great Arthur Ashe at the
    National Sports Awards ceremony at Constitution Hall Sunday night.
        Presenting the medal to Ashe's widow, Jeanne, the President noted
    that Ashe ``battled his way to the top rung of international tennis, and
    he did it with an inner strength and outward dignity that marked his
    game every bit as much as that dazzling crosscourt backhand.''