WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- A sitting U.S. senator, a former Supreme Court judge and global rights advocates are among the 16 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, is awarded to people 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,'' the White House said when announcing the awards Thursday.