President Bush has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to leaders in medicine, government, the judiciary and the military.
The nation's highest civilian awards were presented in a ceremony in the White House East Room.
This year's recipients included Dr. Anthony Fauci (FOW'-chee), director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Dr. Benjamin Carson, who performed the world's first successful operation separating twins joined at the back of the head.
Also honored were retired Marine General Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as Clinton administration housing secretary Donna Shalala (shuh-LAY'-luh) and Reagan-era appointee Judge Laurence Silberman.
A posthumous honor went to longtime Congressman Tom Lantos, a Holocaust survivor who died of cancer in February. His widow accepted the award on his behalf.
%@AP Links
CUT 191 (06/19/08)>> 00:36 ""
Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent
President Bush has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to another architect of the Iraq War. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports.
CUT 192 (06/19/08)>> 00:11 "our country"
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President Bush says retired Marine General Peter Pace left behind an extraordinary record of service.
CUT 193 (06/19/08)>> 00:13 "from here"
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President Bush says Pace was loved by the troops. ((Longer version of cut in wrap))
CUT 194 (06/19/08)>> 00:12 "human freedom"
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President Bush says Congressman Tom Lantos, who died last year, is sorely missed.
CUT 195 (06/19/08)>> 00:09 "the Congress"
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President Bush says the Hungarian-born Lantos was a powerful congressional voice for freedom -- and American by choice.
CUT 196 (06/19/08)>> 00:14 "more challenging (laughter fades)"
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President Bush says former Health Secretary Donna Shalala has brought a remarkable background to her work.
CUT 197 (06/19/08)>> 00:15 "possible care"
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President Bush says former Shalala has distinguished herself in service even after leaving government.
APPHOTO WHRE105 (06/19/08)>>
: President Bush presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Annette Lantos, wife of the late California Rep. Tom Lantos, as he takes part in a ceremony for the 2008 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Thursday, June 19, 2008, in the East Room at the White House in Washington.
APPHOTO WHRE102 (06/19/08)>>
: President Bush places the Presidential Medal of Freedom on former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace as he takes part in a ceremony for the 2008 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Thursday, June 19, 2008, in the East Room at the White House in Washington. Pace is a native of Brooklyn.
APPHOTO WHRE101 (06/19/08)>>
: President Bush places the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Johns Hopkins University's director of pediatric neurosurgery Dr. Ben Carson, as he takes part in a ceremony for the 2008 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Thursday, June 19, 2008, in the East Room at the White House in Washington.
APPHOTO WHRE111 (06/19/08)>>
: Cuba Gooding, Jr., left, and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, right, talk as they arrive for a ceremony for the 2008 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Thursday, June 19, 2008, in the East Room at the White House in Washington. Gooding will portray a 2008 recipient, Dr. Ben Carson in an upcoming movie.
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