[President Joe Biden will award the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 19 individuals on Saturday. The honorees include:
* Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton
* Designer Ralph Lauren
* Soccer superstar Lionel Messi
* U2 frontman Bono
* Philanthropist and megadonor George Soros
* Former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and former Michigan Republican Gov. George Romney, who will be posthumously honored
* Celebrity chef and humanitarian José Andrés
* Actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington
* Retired NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson
* Philanthropist and climate advocate Bill Nye
* Conservationist Jane Goodall
* Civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer
* Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter
* LGBT advocate Tim Gill
* Private equity leader David Rubenstein
* American Film Institute and Kennedy Center Honors founder George Stevens Jr.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors. The White House statement says that Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else.
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