The White House revealed early Saturday that President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people, including two with Michigan connections: Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson and the late George Romney, who served three two-year terms as the state’s governor.
The White House sent out an embargoed release about the awards Friday afternoon saying the medals would be presented Saturday. Biden, who dropped his reelection bid last year, will leave office on Jan. 20 as President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is considered the nation’s highest civilian honor and, according to the White House, is typically presented to people who have made meritorious contributions to the nation’s interests, world peace, or cultural or other significant matters.
Johnson, who grew up and played high school basketball in Lansing, attended Michigan State University from 1977-79, leading the Spartans to a NCAA championship and winning the Final Four most outstanding player award. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won five NBA titles and retired as the all-time leader in assists. The White House noted that since retiring, Johnson has become a successful entrepreneur and helps support underserved communities through the Magic Johnson Foundation.
Former Lansing Everett coach George Fox with Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Romney, who died in 1995, worked with the Aluminum Company of America before becoming chairman and president of American Motors Corp. and was later elected to three two-year terms as Michigan’s governor, beginning in 1962.
Unsuccessful in a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 1968, he served in President Richard Nixon’s Cabinet as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Romney’s son, Mitt Romney, grew up in Michigan and went on to become Massachusetts governor and the 2012 GOP presidential nominee. He also served as a U.S. senator from Utah beginning in 2019 before opting not to run for reelection in November.
George Romney addressing the Michigan Republican State Convention, who nominated him to run for governor of Michigan in August of 1962.
Others receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden on Saturday include:
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Restaurateur, chef and food activist Jose Andres.
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Rock singer and activist Bono.
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Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
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Former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.
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Actor and Parkinson’s disease research activist Michael J. Fox.
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Software programmer, entrepreneur and LGBTQI+ rights activist Tim Gill.
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Animal research and conservationist Jane Goodall.
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The late Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights and voting rights advocate.
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The late Robert F. Kennedy, who served as U.S. attorney general and as a U.S. senator and fought racial segregation and inequality.
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Fashion designer and philanthropist Ralph Lauren.
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Soccer superstar and UNICEF ambassador Lionel Messi.
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Science educator Bill Nye.
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Investment firm co-founder and philanthropist David Rubenstein.
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Philanthropist, financier and Democratic donor George Soros.
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ican Film Institute founder, director and writer George Stevens Jr.
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Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington.
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Media executive and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Biden awards Medal of Freedom to Magic Johnson, George Romney