Clarence B. Jones was surprised when he received a call from the White House informing him that President Joe Biden wanted to award him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Jones, a 93-year-old lawyer known for his activism during the Civil Rights Movement, provided legal counsel to Martin Luther King Jr. and helped write parts of the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. He is among a diverse group of 19 individuals being honored for their exemplary contributions to the United States.
The recipients come from various fields including politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, science, and religion. The list includes seven politicians such as Michael Bloomberg, Rep. James Clyburn, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Al Gore, John Kerry, the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Clyburn’s endorsement of Biden during the 2020 Democratic primary is credited with helping him secure the nomination.
Other notable recipients include activists like Medgar Evers, Michelle Yeoh, Jim Thorpe, and Judy Shepard. Jones expressed his gratitude for the honor and looks forward to whatever the White House has planned for him. In addition to Jones, the remaining recipients of the medal this year are Gregory Boyle, Phil Donahue, Katie Ledecky, Opal Lee, Ellen Ochoa, Jane Rigby, and Teresa Romero.
Biden previously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 people in 2022, including Simone Biles, Sen. John McCain, and Gabby Giffords. Notably, Biden himself received the honor from President Barack Obama in 2017.
