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2008 Presidential Medal of Freedom Citations
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 19, 2008

2008 Presidential Medal of Freedom Citations

ÿÿWhite House News

ÿÿÿÿÿ President Bush Honors Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients

Today President George W. Bush awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to
six individuals. The text of each recipient's citation reads as follows:

Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D.
Dr. Benjamin Carson is a pioneer in pediatric neurosurgery, and his life is
a testament to the power of education, hard work, and faith.ÿ His
groundbreaking contributions to medicine provide hope for people suffering
neurological disorders, and his tireless outreach to America_s youth
underscores the importance of academic achievement and humanitarian
service.ÿ The United States honors Benjamin Carson for his skill, his
vision, and his dedication to motivating others to strive for excellence.

Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
As a physician, medical researcher, author, and public servant, Dr. Anthony
Fauci has dedicated his life to expanding the horizons of human knowledge
and making progress toward groundbreaking cures for diseases.ÿ His efforts
to advance our understanding and treatment of HIV/AIDS have brought hope
and healing to tens of millions in both developed and developing nations.ÿ
The United States honors Anthony Fauci for his commitment to enabling men,
women, and children to live longer, healthier lives.

Tom Lantos
Tom Lantos was a champion of human rights and a man of character and
conviction.ÿ An American by choice and the only Holocaust survivor to serve
in the Congress, he worked to empower oppressed people around the world in
their struggle to secure liberty.ÿ He served as a powerful witness for the
importance of freedom and reminded us that we must never turn a blind eye
to inhumanity.ÿ The United States honors Tom Lantos for his committed
leadership and his lifetime of service to our Nation and the world.

General Peter Pace, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
The sixteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace is
one of our Nation_s most accomplished and respected military leaders. ÿHe
fought for our Nation with honor, and he helped to craft America_s response
to an unprecedented assault on our homeland. ÿThe United States honors
Peter Pace for his steadfast leadership, his selfless devotion to keeping
Americans safe, and his great courage.

Donna Edna Shalala
A distinguished scholar, teacher, academic administrator, and public
servant, Donna Shalala has dedicated herself to improving the lives of her
fellow citizens.ÿ She has devoted her prodigious energies to strengthening
a wide range of institutions fundamental to American life.ÿ The United
States honors Donna Shalala for her leadership and for her determination to
ensure that all Americans can enjoy lives of hope, promise, and dignity.

Laurence H. Silberman
Laurence H. Silberman has devoted his life to promoting, enforcing, and
defending the rule of law. ÿAs a judge, he has been a clear-eyed guardian
of the Constitution, and he has applied the law with wisdom and integrity.
ÿFrom the Cold War to the War on Terror, his work to strengthen the
institutions that protect our Nation has made Americans safer and their
liberties more secure. ÿThe United States honors Laurence Silberman for his
resolute service to the Nation and his stalwart efforts to advance the
cause of ordered liberty.

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