[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 45 (Monday, November 14, 2005)]
[Pages 1690-1694]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom

November 9, 2005

    The President. Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are so 
pleased that you could join us on this proud and happy occasion. It's a 
special honor for us to be in the company of these distinguished 
honorees. We welcome the honorees. We welcome their family members, and 
we welcome their friends.
    The Presidential Medal of Freedom is America's highest civil award 
and is presented for meritorious achievement in public service, in 
science, the arts, education, athletics, business, and other fields of 
endeavor. The award was created through the Executive order by President 
John F. Kennedy and first presented here in the White House by President 
Lyndon B. Johnson. All who receive the Medal of Freedom can know that 
they have a special place in the life of our country and have earned the 
respect and affection of the American people.
    Alan Greenspan, Ph.D., is one of the most admired and influential 
economists in our Nation's history. So you may be surprised to learn 
that Alan studied music at Juilliard. He began his career playing the 
saxophone and clarinet in a jazz orchestra. Even then, he showed his 
mathematical side--his fellow band members had him fill out their tax 
returns. [Laughter] He was on his way to a lifetime of achievement in 
the field of economics, from Wall Street to the White House to the Board 
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
    The era of Chairman Greenspan will always be known as one of 
phenomenal economic growth, high productivity, and unprecedented 
innovation and opportunity for all our citizens. He is a believer in 
economic freedom, open and flexible markets, and boundless human 
creativity. In his 18 years as Fed Chairman, he applied those principles

[[Page 1691]]

with consistency, with calm, and with wisdom. As he prepares to conclude 
his Government service, Alan Greenspan leaves behind a standard that 
will always define a successful Chairman, intellectual depth, analytical 
skill, and credibility beyond question. And he leaves the Fed with the 
utmost respect and thanks of his fellow citizens.
    Like Chairman Greenspan, Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn are brilliant 
men who found great success in their chosen field and have played an 
extraordinary role in the story of our time. Thirty-two years ago, Dr. 
Kahn, an engineer, and Dr. Cerf, a computer scientist, figured out how 
to transmit data between separate computer networks, and to do so 
quickly, effectively, and routinely. Dr. Kahn called it 
``internetting.'' By developing a common digital language for computers 
across networks, these two men prepared the way for a technological 
revolution.
    The Internet is one of the greatest innovations ever launched and 
even now has vast potential as a force for great good. And it's source 
of pride to all of us--it is a source of pride to all of us that this 
progress was set in motion by two talented Americans. Our economy, our 
lives, and our world have all been enriched by the imagination and the 
efforts of Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf.
    Sonny Montgomery has given the United States a lifetime of service. 
He wore the Army uniform in World War II, earning a Bronze Star for 
valor in Europe, and returned to active duty to serve in the Korean war. 
He is a retired major general in the Mississippi National Guard and 
served the people of that State in public office for 40 years. In three 
decades as a Congressman, Sonny Montgomery was a tireless advocate for 
American service men and women, past and present. His forward-looking 
spirit helped to equip and train the finest fighting force in the world. 
And the Montgomery GI education bill has helped millions of veterans 
find opportunity in the Nation they defended.
    I know from my visits to Mississippi that all you have to say is 
Sonny Montgomery's name, and they still cheer. Folks remember him and 
love him, and so do our veterans. Sonny, you're a great man. 
Congratulations to you.
    Air Force General Richard B. Myers became Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff less than one month after the attacks of September the 
11th, 2001. And he was the right man for the job. As the principal 
military adviser to the President during a time of grave danger to our 
country, Dick Myers was a source of wisdom, clear analysis, and broad 
vision. As Chairman, he helped design a thorough and innovative military 
strategy for victory in the war on terror. During his watch, America and 
our allies liberated more than 50 million people from tyranny. And 
General Myers helped set the military on a vital and necessary course of 
transformation so that America will be ready to confront and overcome 
the challenges of the future.
    This fighter pilot is a model officer, deliberate, unflinching, and 
calm in a storm. He's respected in every branch and throughout the ranks 
of our Armed Forces. With his recent retirement after 40 years in 
uniform, the Nation returned Dick Myers in ``as-is'' condition to his 
wife, Mary Jo. [Laughter] He left the service with four stars on his 
shoulder, and his place in America history is secure. The United States 
of America is a stronger and safer nation for the integrity and the 
courage and leadership of General Richard Myers.
    The conflicts of this young century demand a clear-eyed 
understanding of the great dramas and tragedies of the 20th century. And 
perhaps no scholar has studied that time with as much diligence or 
intellectual courage as Robert Conquest. His life began in 1917, the 
year of the Russian Revolution, whose evil consequences he would so 
thoroughly and faithfully detail in ``The Great Terror'' and other 
memorable writings. The truths he told were not always in fashion. But 
the cautionary lessons he taught about murderous ideologies and the men 
who served them will always be relevant. His books have been translated 
into 20 languages, and there have been times and places when those books 
were carefully hidden.
    Today, the empire he revealed is gone forever, and the works of 
Robert Conquest are an enduring testament of the truth. This wise and 
eloquent man is greatly admired by his fellow Americans and by all who 
love freedom.

[[Page 1692]]

    Paul Rusesabagina also bears witness to an evil of the 20th century. 
He was a hotel manager in his native Rwanda when the horror began to 
unfold in 1994. That hotel soon became a haven amid the carnage, with 
Paul, his family, and more than a thousand other men, women, and 
children inside the compound. Without that shelter, every one of them 
would have almost surely have been killed during those weeks and months 
of merciless terror. This good man saved them by holding off the enemy 
with his commanding presence, his shrewd manner of negotiating, and his 
incredible calm amid the crisis and chaos.
    Paul has insisted, quote, ``I'm not a hero. I'm simply a man who 
made a decision to hold on to my family, my life, and my beliefs until 
the end.'' But the world came to know the story, and people everywhere 
can recognize heroism. And we're so honored that Paul is with us here 
today.
    This morning across the United States, millions of Americans started 
their day listening to Paul Harvey. [Laughter] People everywhere feel 
like they know the man and his wife, Angel, too. And for so many 
Americans, no morning, Monday through Saturday, is quite complete 
without ``Paul Harvey News and Comment.'' This tireless broadcaster is 
up every day before the sun, writing his own scripts and ad copy for an 
audience tuning in to more than 1,200 radio stations and the American 
Forces Network.
    He first went on the air in 1933, and he's been heard nationwide for 
54 years. Americans like the sound of his voice. His friend Danny Thomas 
once said to him, ``You'd better be right, because you sound like God.'' 
[Laughter] And over the decades we have come to recognize in that voice 
some of the finest qualities of our country, patriotism, the good humor, 
the kindness, and common sense of Americans. It's always a pleasure to 
listen to Paul Harvey, and it's a real joy this afternoon to honor him 
as well.
    Carol Burnett is known not just for one voice but for many, from 
``Eunice'' to ``Scarlet O'Hara''--``Starlet O'Hara.'' [Laughter] All 
those who've heard it will never forget her Tarzan yell. [Laughter] Her 
variety show ran for 11 years and received 25 Emmys. An even higher 
tribute to the show is that millions of Americans still laugh at the 
memory of the sketches and characters from the ``Carol Burnett Show.''
    True to her theatrical training at UCLA, Carol has also given 
unforgettable performances in serious roles. Yet, it is far more than 
talent that has endeared Carol Burnett to the American people. It is her 
goodness of heart, her sincerity, and the wonderful spirit that comes 
through. She spent her early years in San Antonio, Texas, where they 
still think of her with great affection. The same goes for the whole 
country. Carol Burnett is welcome in every home in America. And she's 
welcome here at the White House today, as we pay tribute to this noble 
woman.
    Here at the White House, we get an interesting mix of visitors. 
Already today I've met with the Secretary of State, Secretary of 
Defense, and the Dalai Lama--and the sheriff of Mayberry. [Laughter] 
Andy Griffith first came to the people's attention with his gift for 
storytelling, and his own life is a mighty fine story by itself. He 
started out as a high school teacher, and in his amazing career, he has 
gained fame as an actor and received a Grammy Award for his singing. He 
will always be remembered for the ``Andy Griffith Show'' and 
``Matlock.'' Yet, he has also given powerful dramatic performances in 
such movies as ``A Face in the Crowd.''
    Looking back on his Mayberry days, Andy explained the timeless 
appeal of the show. He said, ``It was about love. Barney would set 
himself up for a fall, and Andy would be there to catch him.'' 
[Laughter] The enduring appeal of the show has always depended, and 
still does, on the simplicity and sweetness and rectitude of the man 
behind the badge. TV shows come and go, but there's only one Andy 
Griffith. And we thank him for being such a friendly and beloved 
presence in our American life.
    A week ago today, the flag of the United States flew at halfstaff in 
memory of Rosa Parks. And in Detroit, at Mrs. Parks' funeral, worshipers 
heard Aretha Franklin sing ``I'll Fly Away.'' Generations of Americans 
have stood in wonder at the style and voice of Aretha Franklin. One 
record executive put it this way: ``Aretha is still the best singer in 
the world, bar none. She finds meanings in lyrics that the composers 
didn't even know

[[Page 1693]]

they had.'' [Laughter] ``She chills you, heats you, affects your soul. 
It's exhilarating.'' When Aretha Franklin recorded the song ``Respect,'' 
it became the number one hit in America, and she won the first of 17 
Grammy Awards.
    The ``Queen of Soul'' has been a singer all her life, thanks to the 
early encouragement of her mother, Barbara, and her father, the Reverend 
C.L. Franklin. They raised their daughter to be a woman of achievement, 
deep character, and a loving heart. And I know they would be filled with 
pride this afternoon as our Nation honors Ms. Aretha Franklin.
    Frank Robinson was born in Beaumont, Texas. And though it has been 
awhile, we are still proud to claim this Hall of Famer as a Texan. He 
first achieved greatness as a member of the Cincinnati Reds nearly 50 
years ago. As a Red, he was the Most Valuable Player in the National 
League. As an Oriole, he was the Most Valuable Player in the American 
League. He won the American League Triple Crown in 1966, an achievement 
so rare that only one player has done it since. His 586 home runs make 
him sixth on the alltime list. His teams won five league championships 
and two World Series titles. Thirty years ago, he became the first 
African American manager in Major League Baseball. He has been named 
Manager of the Year in both leagues. He serves today as the skipper for 
the hometown team, the Washington Nationals.
    Frank Robinson is a man who leads by example. His wife, Barbara, 
said, ``He believes in rules, and he respects the game. He reveres the 
game.'' Baseball fans across America will tell you the feeling is 
returned. In the game we love, few names will ever command as much 
respect and esteem as the name of Frank Robinson.
    Last year in Ohio, I ran into Jack Nicklaus and asked if he had any 
advice for my golf game. He said, ``Sure. Quit.'' [Laughter] The game of 
golf takes a rare combination of raw ability and sustained 
concentration. Jack Nicklaus earned the distinction as one of the greats 
early in his career. When he edged out Arnold Palmer at the U.S. Open in 
1962, Arnie said, ``Now that the big guy is out of the cage, everybody 
better run for cover.'' [Laughter] The Golden Bear went on to win 17 
more professional majors and more than 70 PGA Tour events.

    Galleries across the world have admired the intense focus and 
unyielding competitiveness that Jack Nicklaus brings to the game. They 
admire, just as much, the man himself. In every aspect of his life, Jack 
holds himself to a high standard. He's a great gentleman. And for his 
skill, grace, and class in every circumstance, Americans will always 
look up to the example of Jack Nicklaus.

    Only a few athletes are ever known as the greatest in their sport or 
in their time. But when you say, ``The Greatest of All Time'' is in the 
room, everyone knows who you mean. It's quite a claim to make, but as 
Muhammad Ali once said, ``It's not bragging if you can back it up.'' 
[Laughter] And this man backed it up. From the day he won the gold medal 
at the 1960 Olympic games, we all knew there was something special about 
this young fighter from Louisville, Kentucky. And his record of 56 and 
5, including 37 knockouts and 19 successful title defenses, hardly 
begins to tell the story. Far into the future, fans and students of 
boxing will study the films, and some will even try to copy his style. 
But certain things defy imitation, the Ali shuffle, the lightning jabs, 
the total command of the ring, and above all, the sheer guts and 
determination he brought to every fight.

    This is a man who once fought more than 10 rounds with a fractured 
jaw. And he fought to complete exhaustion and victory in that legendary 
clash of greats in Manila. The real mystery, I guess, is how he stayed 
so pretty. [Laughter] It probably had to do with his beautiful soul. He 
was a fierce fighter, and he's a man of peace, just like Odessa and 
Cassius Clay, Sr., believed their son could be. Across the world, 
billions of people know Muhammad Ali as a brave, compassionate, and 
charming man, and the American people are proud to call Muhammad Ali one 
of our own.
    Our country and our world have been improved by the lives of the men 
and women we honor today. And now I ask the military aide to read the 
citations.

[[Page 1694]]

[At this point, Lt. Col. John Quintas, USAF, Air Force Aide to the 
President, read the citations, and the President presented the medals.]

    The President. Thank you all for coming. Congratulations to our 
winners. And now Laura and I would like to invite you to a reception 
here on the State Floor.
    God bless you all.

Note: The President spoke at 2:36 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Lynne ``Angel'' Harvey, wife of 
Paul Harvey; and professional golfer Arnold D. Palmer.