[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
[June 19, 2008]
[Pages 851-855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom
June 19, 2008

    The President. Welcome to the White House for what is going to be a 
joyous occasion. Mr. Vice President, Justice 
Scalia, members of my Cabinet and 
administration, Members of Congress, Medal of Freedom recipients and 
their families and friends: Thanks for coming. Laura and I are honored to welcome you here.
    The Medal of Freedom is the highest civil honor a President can 
bestow. The award recognizes outstanding individuals who have been 
leaders in their chosen fields, have led lives of vision and character, 
and have made especially meritorious contributions to our Nation and the 
world. Today we add the names 
 of six remarkable Americans 
to that select list.
    The story of our first recipient 
begins in a poor neighborhood in the heart of Detroit. This was an 
environment where many young people lost themselves to poverty and crime 
and violence. For a time, young Ben Carson was headed down that same 
path. Yet through his reliance on faith and family, he turned his life 
into a sharply different direction. Today, Dr. Carson is one of the 
world's leading neurosurgeons. He is renowned for his successful efforts 
to separate conjoined twins and his expertise in controlling brain seizures. He 
has worked to be a motivating influence on young people. He and his wife 
Candy have started an organization that offers 
college scholarships to students across America. The child of Detroit 
who once saw a grim future became a scholar, a healer, and a leader.
    Ben would be the first to tell 
you that his remarkable story would not be possible without the support 
of a woman who raised him and is at his side 
today. Some moms are simply forces of nature who never take no for an 
answer. [Laughter] I understand. [Laughter] Ben Carson's mom had a life 
filled with challenges. She was married at the age of 13 and ultimately 
to--was left to raise her two sons alone. She 
made their education a high priority. Every week, the boys would have to 
check out library books and write reports on them. She would hand them 
back with check marks, as though she had reviewed them, never letting on 
that she couldn't read them. Even in the toughest times, she always 
encouraged her children's dreams. She never allowed them to see 
themselves as victims. She never, ever gave up. We're so thrilled you're 
here. Sonya Carson, welcome to the White House.
    Ben has said that one of his 
role models is Booker T. Washington, who inspired millions and who was 
one of the first African American leaders ever to visit this house as a 
guest of a President. He walked on this very floor a little more than a 
century ago. Today, Ben Carson follows in his footsteps in more ways 
than one. He's lived true to the words that was once uttered by this 
great man: ``Character, not circumstances, makes the man.'' Ben, you 
demonstrate that character every day through the life you lead, the care 
you provide, and the family that you put at the center of your life. 
Murray, B.J., and 
Rhoeyce, I know how proud your dad is of each 
of you. I'm delighted that you have a chance to see how proud our Nation 
is of him.
    For his skills as a surgeon, high moral standards, and dedication to 
helping others, I am proud to bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom 
on Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr. 
[Applause] The bestowing part will take place a little later, Ben. 
[Laughter]
    Three decades ago, a mysterious and terrifying plague began to take 
the lives of people across the world. Before this malady even had a 
name, it had a fierce opponent in Dr. Anthony Fauci. As the Director of

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the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for more than 
23 years, Tony Fauci has led the fight against HIV and AIDS. He was also 
a leading architect and champion of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, 
which over the past 5 years has reached millions of people, preventing 
HIV infections in infants and easing suffering and bringing dying 
communities back to life.
    The man who would lead the fight 
against this dreaded disease came from an Italian American family in 
Brooklyn. Even as a boy, Tony was distinguished by his courage. In a 
neighborhood full of Brooklyn Dodgers fans, he rooted for the Yankees. 
[Laughter] Tony earned a full scholarship to Regis High School, a Jesuit 
school in Manhattan. And he still quotes what he learned from Jesuit 
teaching: ``Precision of thought, economy of expression.'' And now you 
know why he never ran for public office. [Laughter]
    Those who know Tony do admit one flaw. 
Sometimes he forgets to stop working. He regularly puts in 80-hour 
weeks. And from time to time, he's even found notes on his windshield 
left by his coworkers that say things like: ``Go home. You're making me 
feel guilty.'' [Laughter] A friend once commented that Tony was so 
obsessed with work that his wife must be a 
pretty patient woman. The truth of the matter is, she's very busy 
herself. Christine Grady is a renowned bioethicist. And together they 
raised three talented daughters: Jennifer, 
Megan, and Alison. And 
I hope each of you know that for all Tony has accomplished, he considers 
you to be one of his--not one of his--his most important achievement. 
Your love and support have strengthened him as he works to save lives 
across the world.
    For his determined and aggressive efforts to help others live longer 
and healthier lives, I'm proud to award the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci.
    When Tom Lantos was 16 years old, Nazi troops occupied his hometown 
of Budapest. During that bitter occupation, young Tom was active in the 
resistance. He twice was sent to a Nazi labor camp; both times he 
escaped. Tom and his wife Annette 
survived the Holocaust. Others in their family did not.
    Their experiences amid Nazi terror shaped the rest of their lives. 
After they left Hungary and made California their home, Tom put his name 
on the ballot for a seat in the House of Representatives and became the 
only survivor of the Holocaust ever elected to Congress. One of his 
early acts was to establish the Congressional Human Rights Council 
[Caucus]. * Annette served as the 
Caucus's director. Tom earned the respect from both sides of the aisle, 
and he rose to become the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. One 
colleague put it this way: ``Tom was at the forefront of virtually every 
human rights battle over nearly three decades in the Congress.''
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    * White House correction.
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    On Capitol Hill, Tom displayed the energy and enthusiasm of people 
half his age. When he was in his seventies, he said that he was at the 
midpoint of his congressional career. [Laughter] When he was diagnosed 
with a fatal form of cancer, he responded with typical grace. As he 
announced his decision to retire from the job he loved, his words were 
not of despair but of gratitude for a nation that had given him so much. 
``Only in America,'' he said, ``could a penniless survivor of the 
Holocaust receive an education, raise a family, and have the privilege 
of serving in the Congress.'' That dying servant of the people then said 
this: ``I will never be able to express fully my profoundly felt 
gratitude to this great country.''
    America is equally grateful to Tom Lantos. We miss his powerful 
voice and his strong Hungarian accent. [Laughter] We miss his generosity 
of spirit. And we miss

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his vigorous defense of human rights and his powerful witness for the 
cause of human freedom.
    For a lifetime of leadership, for his commitment to liberty, and for 
his devoted service to his adopted nation, I am proud to award the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, posthumously, to Tom Lantos. And proud 
that his loving wife Annette will 
receive the award on behalf of his family.
    One of my great privileges as the President has been to meet so many 
outstanding Americans who volunteer to serve our Nation in uniform. I've 
been inspired by their valor, selflessness, and complete integrity. I 
found all those qualities in abundance in General Pete Pace. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pete Pace was 
a skilled and trusted adviser in a time of war. He helped transform our 
military into a more efficient and effective force in America's defense.
    General Pace experienced the blessings 
America offers at an early age. He was born in Brooklyn to an Italian 
immigrant father who sometimes worked two or three jobs at a time to 
make ends meet. He was raised by a mom who instilled in him the 
sustaining power of faith. Together, his parents 
raised four children; each went on to great achievements in their chosen 
fields. That childhood gave young Pete Pace an early glimpse of what he 
would later call ``the incredible benefits that our Nation bestows on 
those who come to our shores.''
    Pete Pace attended the Naval Academy and, as 
a young marine, soon found his way to Vietnam. At the age of 22, he took 
command of a platoon engaged in heavy fighting against the enemy during 
the Tet offensive. Pete quickly won the respect and the trust of his 
unit and formed a bond with all those who served with him. That bond 
only strengthened throughout his military career.
    He was the first marine to serve as Chairman 
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And he performed his duties with a keen 
intellect, a sharp wit, and a passionate devotion to our country. He won 
the admiration of all who knew him. And that includes a soldier in 
Afghanistan who came up to General Pace last year during his farewell 
visit to that country and said simply: ``Sir, thanks for your service. 
We'll take it from here.''
    On his final day in uniform, General Pace 
took a quiet journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He searched the 
names engraved in the sleek granite and then found a spot where he 
placed his four stars that had adorned his uniform. Along with those 
stars he attached notes addressed to the men who died under his first 
command some four decades ago. The notes said: ``These are yours, not 
mine. With love and respect, your platoon leader, Pete Pace.'' General 
Pace ended his military career the same way that he began it, with love 
for his country and devotion to his fellow marines.
    For his selfless service to his country and for always putting the 
interests of our men and women in uniform first, I am proud to award the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom to General Pete Pace.
    When Donna Shalala was 10 years old, a 
tornado struck her house and her neighborhood near Cleveland. Her 
parents searched throughout the house for young 
Donna, but couldn't find her anywhere. She was finally spotted down the 
road, standing in the middle of the road directing traffic. [Laughter] 
Even at a young age, she was ready to take charge. [Laughter]
    Donna was always an enthusiastic 
participant in life. She once played on the girls' softball team coached 
by George Steinbrenner. 
[Laughter] She also joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in the 
Middle East. I really wonder which one of those two experiences was more 
challenging. [Laughter]
    In 1993, President Clinton nominated 
Donna as the Nation's Secretary of Health 
and Human Services. She served for a full two terms, longer than any 
other person who held that position. During her tenure, she developed a 
reputation for fairness and

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a willingness to hear both sides of an issue. Former Republican 
Governor who worked closely with Donna 
called her cooperative and pragmatic. The late Texas columnist Molly 
Ivins once called her ``almost disgustingly cheerful.'' [Laughter] I 
knew Molly; that's a high compliment. [Laughter]
    As a college president, Donna has 
demonstrated her commitment to education. And as Cochair of the Dole-
Shalala Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, she 
has worked to ensure that we provide the best possible care for 
America's veterans, especially those who have borne the scars of battle. 
I came to know Donna in the course of the Commission's work. She 
believes deeply that our Nation has no more important responsibility 
than to make sure that we provide our veterans with all the love and 
care and support they deserve. Donna, you helped America move closer to 
realizing that noble goal, and your country is deeply grateful.
    For her efforts to help more Americans live lives of purpose and 
dignity, I am proud to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Donna 
Edna Shalala.
    Few men have played roles in as many memorable moments in recent 
American history as Laurence Silberman. He was a senior official in the Justice Department in the 
aftermath of Watergate and helped to restore America's confidence in the 
Department. As Ambassador to Yugoslavia, he was a vigorous 
representative of America's values behind the Iron Curtain. He was a 
fierce advocate for the ``peace through strength'' policies that helped 
win the cold war.
    As a Federal judge on the DC circuit--often called the second-
highest court in the land--Judge Silberman has been a passionate defender of judicial restraint. He 
writes opinions that one colleague has described as always cutting to 
the heart of the matter--sometimes to the jugular. [Laughter] His 
questioning is crisp and incisive, and at least one lawyer who was 
subjected to his inquiries actually fainted. [Laughter] Judge Silberman 
was a particularly important influence on two other members of that 
court: Antonin Scalia and Clarence 
Thomas. When each was nominated to the 
Supreme Court, Judge Silberman, in typical fashion, was not sad to see 
them go. That's because when Scalia left the court, Judge Silberman 
gained seniority, and when Thomas left the court, Judge Silberman gained 
his furniture. [Laughter]
    In a new and dangerous era for our country, Larry 
Silberman has continued to answer the 
call to service. He served with distinction on the Foreign Intelligence 
Surveillance Court of Review. He took a year off from the Federal bench 
to serve as Cochairman of a bipartisan commission on intelligence 
reform. And in all his work, he's remained a clear-eyed guardian of the 
Constitution. He continues to leave his distinctive mark in the opinions 
he issues and the generations of bright and talented lawyers he has 
trained.
    For his resolute service to the Nation and his stalwart efforts to 
advance the cause of ordered liberty, I am proud to bestow the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom on Laurence H. Silberman.
    My congratulations to 
each of the recipients. And 
now the military aide will read the 
citations for the Presidential Medals of Freedom.

[At this point, Lt. Cmdr. Robert A. Roncska, USN, Navy Aide to the 
President, read the citations, and the President presented the medals.]

    The President. In honor of these distinguished men and women, 
Laura and I invite you to stay for a reception in 
the State Dining Room. Please enjoy yourselves. Congratulations. May God 
bless you all.

Note: The President spoke at 9:45 a.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to George M. Steinbrenner III, 
chairman, Major League Baseball's New York Yankees; and former Gov. 
Tommy G. Thompson of Wisconsin.

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