The U.S. Capitol Historical Society held a ceremony to present its annual Freedom Award that recognizes individuals and organizations that have advanced greater public understanding and appreciation for freedom as represented by the U.S. Capitol and Congress.

Norman Ornstein presented the award to Richard Baker, who became the first Senate historian in 1975. An advocate for the openness of government, he drafted the Senate's first rules for access to its records at that National Archives. Mr. Baker spoke about the history of preserving government records.

Frank Mankiewicz presented the award to Ambassador George McGovern. During 22 years in the U.S. Congress he was instrumental in creating programs to alleviate hunger, including Food for Peace, the school lunch program, and food stamps. After his 1972 presidential campaign as the Democratic nominee, he continued his leadership in the battle against world hunger. Former Senator McGovern spoke about his current work on the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and his recent book Abraham Lincoln (Times Books; December 23, 2008).

The ceremony was held at 5:30 p.m. on October 7, 2009, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.