Labor & Employment Law

Sweeney to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom, Highest Civilian Honor

By James Parks

President Obama today named AFL-CIO President Emeritus John Sweeney as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation?s highest civilian honor. The award is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

Sweeney was among 15 recipients, with President Obama stating that “these outstanding honorees come from a broad range of backgrounds and they?ve excelled in a broad range of fields,”

but all of them have lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place.  I look forward to awarding them this honor.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who served as AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer from 1995-2009 while Sweeney was president, said:

Of the many great individuals who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, none are more deserving than John Sweeney.  No matter how high he rose, John lived the values that drew him to the labor movement as a young man, and he has never stepped back from his devotion to the working people who were the heart and soul of the working-class immigrant community where he grew up. John’s integrity, commitment and passion for the least among us has earned him an award that all of labor can be proud of.

Sweeney will join an illustrious list of the greatest Americans, including the legendary union lobbyists, the late Evy Dubrow, who was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1999 by President Clinton.

The awards will be presented at a White House ceremony early next year. For a full list of the honorees and President Obama?s statement, click here.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on November 17, 2010 (boomark / email).