(Washington, DC)—Congressman Cleaver is proud to announce that the President of the United States will award John “Buck” O’Neil the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony next week.

“I can not tell you how happy I am for Buck and his family,” said Cleaver. “We lost one of our brightest lights when Buck passed away. This award serves as a beautiful tribute to a man who gave so much to our community and our nation.” 

“Buck loved life. And for that inspired love, Buck is still adored by all those who knew him and all who heard of him. It is rare that an entire community rallies around a single person, but even after his death, our town still tells stories of the man with a smile that warmed even the coldest heart. This award is a great recognition of Buck, who brought joy and humility, peace and respect to a nation that forced him to play on segregated fields. Buck O’Neil taught us that disappointments are to be cremated not embalmed,” said Cleaver.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of the two highest civilian awards in the United States and is bestowed by the President of the United States. It was established by the Fifth District’s own favorite son President Harry Truman. The other major civilian award, considered the equivalent, is the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, which is bestowed by an act of Congress. Congressman Cleaver has been working since the summer to confer the Congressional Gold Medal on Buck O’Neil, and will continue this effort in the next Congress.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is designed to recognize individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

The Medal will be awarded to O’Neil posthumously and accepted by his brother, 98 year-old Warren O’Neil. Members of his family as well as executives from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will be on hand at the ceremony.

Buck joins several other notable sports figures who have received the award, among them, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Ashe, Jesse Owens, Roberto Clemente, Jack Nicklaus and Muhammad Ali. 

Also receiving the Medal of Freedom this year will be:

Ruth Johnson Colvin has dedicated her life to helping the less fortunate gain the reading and language skills they need to succeed.  She has worked to bring communities together to tear down the barriers of illiteracy and traveled the globe to promote the importance of literacy.
 
Norman C. Francis has served as President of Xavier University of Louisiana for nearly 40 years, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to education, equality, and service to others.  As Chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, he has played a vital role in helping the people of the Gulf Coast rebuild their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
 
Paul Johnson is a brilliant historian and journalist whose powerful writings have captivated and educated people around the world.  A citizen of the United Kingdom, he holds America in special regard, calling the creation of our Nation “the greatest of all human adventures.”
 
Riley “B.B.” King is one of the greatest blues singers and guitarists of all time.  For more than half a century, the “King of the Blues” and his guitar “Lucille” have thrilled audiences, influenced generations of guitarists, and helped give the blues its special place in the American musical tradition.
 
Joshua Lederberg was awarded a Nobel Prize for his work in bacterial genetics and has devoted his life to the advancement of human knowledge.  He has also helped develop advanced computer technology, worked with NASA in the search for life on Mars, and served as a distinguished scientific advisor to our Nation’s policymakers. 

David McCullough is one of our Nation’s most distinguished and honored historians.  His books have earned him the respect of general audiences and scholars alike, and he is one of our foremost experts on the American Presidency.  

Norman Y. Mineta has served his fellow Americans as a mayor, congressman, and Cabinet Secretary under two Presidents.  The longest-serving Secretary of Transportation, he worked to improve the security of our transportation system and restore our confidence in air travel after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
 
William Safire has distinguished himself as one of our country's most talented writers and commentators.  Using the power of prose, he has educated our citizenry, polished our language, and elevated debate on issues of the day.
 
Natan Sharansky was imprisoned in the gulag by the Soviet regime for his work to advance religious liberty and human rights.  He remained steadfast in his defiance of tyranny and has continued to champion the principles that all people deserve to live in freedom and that the advance of liberty is critical to peace and security around the world.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.