WASHINGTON — The nation's first African-American president honored three martyrs of the civil rights movement during a Monday ceremony bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In paying tribute to the late James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner — all killed during a 1964 voter registration drive in Mississippi — Obama said their brutal murder "shook the conscience of our nation."
Civil rights, the arts, and political and public service dominated the ceremony recognizing 19 new recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
Prominent recipients included three-time Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, and singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom "celebrates people who had made America stronger and wiser and more humane and more beautiful," Obama said during the ceremony.
While Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner are often remembered for how they died, Obama said the medal is being awarded for how they lived: "They refused to sit on the sidelines."
Family members accepted the medals for the three young civil rights workers.
Americans have fought for their rights in a variety of ways, Obama said in awarding medals to other recipients.
They includes Native American activist Suzan Harjo, one of the first people to call for a change in the name of the Washington Redskins football team.
A pioneer of another sort, golfer Charlie Sifford, became the first African-American to win his professional tour card, despite discrimination that bordered on the violent.
A variety of political figures also received the Medal of Freedom, including Rep. John Dingell, Jr., D-Mich., the longest-serving member of Congress, whose votes ranged from civil rights to health care; the late Rep. Edward Roybal, D-Calif., founder of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; and the late Rep. Patsy Mink, D-Hawaii, a co-author of the Title IX law that banned gender discrimination in schools, including sports.
Obama also presented a medal to Ethel Kennedy, widow of Sen. Robert Kennedy and supporter of a number of humanitarian causes. Obama noted that Mrs. Kennedy once issued him an "ice bucket challenge" for disease research; the president wrote a check instead.
"I grew up in Hawaii," Obama said. "I don't like pouring ice water on top of my head."
Obama also honored one of his mentors, former U.S. Rep. Abner Mikva of the Chicago, who also served as a federal judge and White House counsel.
Streep led a number of artists honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Citing roles ranging from Mamma Mia to Sophie's Choice, Obama jokingly confessed: "I love Meryl Streep .. her husband knows I love her, Michelle knows I lover her."
Obama praised Wonder for "the warmth and humanity" of his music and lyrics. The president noted that the first album he bought with his own money back in the 1970s was recorded by Wonder.
In addition to praising Brokaw's long career with NBC News, Obama lauded the former anchorman for being a chronicler of "the Greatest Generation" that fought World War II.
Others honored artists: The late choreographer Alvin Ailey, who blended modern dancing and ballet; and author Isabel Allende, an exile from Chile.
Composer Stephen Sondheim could not make the White House ceremony, and will receive his medal next year, Obama said.
Other honorees: Actress Marlo Thomas, the star of the 1960s sitcom That Girl, who went on to make children's programs and build one of the world's largest pediatric hospitals; economist Robert Solow, whose research includes how technological progress drives growth; and physicist Mildred Dresselhaus, who specialized in energy research.
