Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Everybody, please have a seat, and welcome to the White House. It is an extraordinary pleasure to be...

But that’s exactly what makes this award so special. Every one of today’s honorees is blessed with an extraordinary amount of talent. All of them...

So I’m going to take an opportunity -- I hope you guys don’t mind -- to brag about each of you, starting with Madeleine Albright.

As the first woman to serve as America’s top diplomat, Madeleine’s courage and toughness helped bring peace to the Balkans and paved the way for...

Bob Dylan started out singing other people’s songs. But, as he says, “There came a point where I had to write what I wanted to say, because what...

On the morning that John Glenn blasted off into space, America stood still. And for half an hour, the phones stopped ringing in Chicago police headquarters,...

Gordon Hirabayashi knew what it was like to stand alone. As a student at the University of Washington, Gordon was one of only three Japanese Americans...

For years, Jan Karski’s students at Georgetown University knew he was a great professor; what they didn't realize was he was also a hero. Fluent...

Toni Morrison -- she is used to a little distraction. As a single mother working at a publishing company by day, she would carve out a little time...

When a doctor first told Pat Summitt she suffered from dementia, she almost punched him. When a second doctor advised her to retire, she responded,...

So these are the recipients of the 2012 Medals of Freedom. And just on a personal note, I had a chance to see everybody in the back. What’s wonderful...

Everybody on this stage has marked my life in profound ways. And I was telling -- somebody like Pat Summitt -- when I think about my two daughters,...

Presidential Medal of Freedom citations:

I think this goes very well with your broach. (Laughter.)

John Doar. As African Americans strove for justice, John Doar led federal efforts to defend equality and enforce civil rights. Risking his life to...

Bill Foege.

A distinguished physician and epidemiologist, Bill Foege helped lead a campaign to eradicate smallpox that stands among medicine’s greatest success...

John Glenn has set a peerless example through his service to our nation. As a Marine Corps pilot and the first American to orbit the Earth, he sparked...

Susan Carnahan, accepting on behalf of her husband Gordon Kiyoshi Hirabayashi. In his open defiance of discrimination against Japanese Americans during...

Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta. One of America's great labor and civil rights icons, Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta has devoted her life to advocating...

Adam Daniel Rotfeld, former Polish foreign minister accepting on behalf of Jan Karski. As a young officer in the Polish Underground, Jan Karski was...

Richard Platt, accepting on behalf of his great aunt, Juliette Gordon Low. An artist, athlete and trailblazer for America's daughters, Juliette Gordon...

Toni Morrison. The first African American woman to win a Nobel Prize, Toni Morrison is one of our nation's most distinguished storytellers. She has...

John Paul Stevens. From the Navy to the bench, John Paul Stevens has devoted himself to service to our nation. After earning a Bronze Star in World...

Pat Summitt. Pat Summitt is an unparalleled figure in collegiate sports. Over 38 seasons, she proudly led the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers...

Bob Dylan. A modern-day troubadour, Bob Dylan established himself as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The rich poetry of...

Can everybody please stand and give a rousing applause to our Medal of Freedom winners? (Applause.)

Fortunately, we also have a reception afterwards. I hear the food around here is pretty good. (Laughter.) So I look forward to all of you having...