Gary S. Becker
One of the world's great economists and premier intellectual innovators,
Gary Becker has broadened the spectrum of economic theory and social
science. His pioneering analysis of the interaction between economics
and such diverse topics as education, demography, and family
organization has earned him worldwide respect and a Nobel Prize. His
work has contributed to public policies that have helped improve the
standard of living in developed and developing nations. The United
States honors Gary Becker for his groundbreaking contributions to
economics, which have helped us better comprehend the dynamic forces
that drive our economy and shape our society.
Oscar Elias Biscet
Oscar Elias Biscet has dedicated his life to advancing human rights and
democracy in Cuba. A medical doctor, he has been persecuted for his
peaceful calls for a free Cuba. Despite being imprisoned for his
beliefs, he remains a powerful advocate for a Cuba in which the rights
of all people are respected. Freedom-loving people everywhere are his
brothers and sisters, and his sacrifice benefits all mankind. The United
States stands with Oscar Elias Biscet in his heroic struggle against
tyranny, salutes him for his courage, and honors him for his devotion to
freedom and human rights.
Francis S. Collins
Francis Collins' work has revolutionized genetic research and deepened
our understanding of human biology. Under his leadership, the Human
Genome Project mapped and sequenced the full human genome. This
monumental advance in scientific knowledge has begun to unlock some of
the great mysteries of human life and has created the potential to
develop treatments and cures for some of the most serious diseases. The
United States honors Francis Collins for his efforts to decode human DNA
and improve human health.
Benjamin L. Hooks
As a minister, lawyer, judge, and public servant, Benjamin Hooks has
dedicated his life to equal justice under law. A pioneer of the Civil
Rights movement and a leader of the NAACP, he fought to extend the full
promise of America to all its citizens, and he battled injustice with
civility, grace, and a generous spirit. His efforts have helped bring
our Nation closer to its founding ideals. The United States honors
Benjamin Hooks: champion of equality, opportunity, and justice.
Henry J. Hyde
A veteran, a lawyer, and a public servant, Henry Hyde has served his
country with honor and dedication. During his 32-year career in the
House of Representatives, he was a powerful defender of life, a leading
advocate for a strong national defense, and an unwavering voice for
liberty, democracy, and free enterprise around the world. A true
gentleman of the House, he advanced his principles without rancor and
earned the respect of friends and adversaries alike. The United States
honors Henry Hyde for his distinguished record of service to America.
Brian P. Lamb
As the driving force behind the creation of C-SPAN, Brian Lamb has
elevated our public debate and helped open up our government to citizens
across the Nation. His dedication to a transparent political system and
to the free flow of ideas has enriched our civic life. He has helped
empower Americans to know and understand their government and hold it
accountable. The United States honors Brian Lamb for his efforts to
ensure that his fellow citizens are well-informed participants in the
American system of self-government through reflection and choice.
Harper Lee
Harper Lee's beautiful book is a meditation on family, human complexity,
and some of the great themes of American life. At a critical moment in
our history, To Kill a Mockingbird helped focus the Nation on the
turbulent struggle for equality. The novel became an instant American
classic and earned her a Pulitzer Prize. Nearly half a century after its
publication, her work continues to captivate new readers who encounter
its compelling power for the first time. The United States honors Harper
Lee for her outstanding contribution to the great literary tradition of
America.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
As a Liberian Cabinet Minister, United Nations administrator, and
Liberia's President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been a force for
democracy and opportunity. She has helped heal a country torn apart by
over fourteen years of conflict through perseverance, personal courage,
and an unwavering commitment to building a more hopeful future for her
homeland. The first woman elected president of an African nation, she
has striven to improve the lives of people in her own country and across
her continent. The United States honors Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her
dedication to freedom, democracy, and human dignity.
