Maya Angelou, George H. W. Bush Receive Medal of Freedom

Maya Angelou, the acclaimed poet and author, former president George H.W. Bush, and others are got the US’s highest possible civilian award from President Barack Obama.
Maya Angelou, George H. W. Bush Receive Medal of Freedom
Obama gives former president George HW Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Li Sha/The Epoch Times
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<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/1102170031201160_1_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/1102170031201160_1_medium.jpg" alt="Obama gives former president George HW Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom.   (Li Sha/The Epoch Times)" title="Obama gives former president George HW Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom.   (Li Sha/The Epoch Times)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-120732"/></a>
Obama gives former president George HW Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom.   (Li Sha/The Epoch Times)
President Barack Obama gave out the nation’s highest civilian award to notables including former President George H. W. Bush, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, poet Dr.  Maya Angelou, and 12 others.

In all, 15 people received the Presidential Medal of Freedom award on Tuesday.

Recipients include prominent investor Warren Buffet, basketball great Bill Russel, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

“These outstanding honorees come from a broad range of backgrounds and they’ve excelled in a broad range of fields,” said Obama.

The award is given to those who have made significant contributions to the national interests of the US, contributions to world peace, or provided significant cultural or public contributions, according to an official White House statement.

“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,” said the president.