Obama names Medal of Freedom winners

WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- The 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom are agents of change, President Barack Obama said Thursday in Washington.

The medal is presented to those who "make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors," a White House press release said.

"These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds," Obama said. "Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way."

The president will present the awards Aug. 12 to Nancy Goodman Brinker, Dr. Pedro Jose Greer, Stephen Hawking, the late Jack Kemp, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Billie Jean King, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, Joseph Medicine Crow, the late Harvey Milk, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Sidney Poitier, Chita Rivera, Mary Robinson, Dr. Janet Davison Rowley, Desmond Tutu and Muhammad Yunus.