Clinton Presents Outstanding Blacks With Presidential Citizens Awards

Jet, Jan 29, 2001

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and baseball great Henry "Hank" Aaron were among the recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal recently presented by President Clinton in Washington, D.C.

The medal, established in 1969, recognizes U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds in areas of civil rights, religion, education and government service.

Of the 28 people who received the award, eight of the citizens are Black. "The greatest title any of us can hold is that of citizen," said Clinton.

During the White House ceremony Clinton praised all the honorees.

He hugged Ali, the former three-time heavyweight champ, and stated to the audience, "Now and forever, he is the greatest."

When referring to Hank Aaron, baseball's former all-time home-run record setter, he said, "His courage and dignity have left a lasting mark on more than just baseball."

Another recipient of the award was Ruby Bridges, who at six-years-old became the first African-American student to integrate a New Orleans public school. Clinton said, "we pay tribute to the courage of a little girl and the commitment of a lifetime."

Clinton praised Irene Morgan, a prominent figure in the 1940s who helped to end the Jim Crow segregation in interstate transportation. He said, "we acknowledge our debt to her quiet and brave fight."

The president said Constance Baker Motley, an advocate, public servant and the first Black female federal court judge, "has been far more than capable; she has been superb."

Clinton expressed appreciation to civil rights activist Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, for risking "his life so that every American, no matter the color of his or her skin, might live in a nation of dignity, opportunity and equal justice under law."

Posthumous awards honored former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown as well as the late publisher and editor of the Chicago Defender, John H. H. Sengstacke.

President Clinton told the audience that Brown, "never grew weary. He inspired people to believe in our democratic system and to get involved."

Brown's wife, Alma, accepted the award on his behalf.

Publisher Sengstacke was referred to as a "crusader for justice." Clinton said, "He provided a forum for African-American issues and voices that otherwise would have gone unheard."

Robert Sengstacke, the late publisher's son, proudly accepted the medal for his father.

Other awardees included actress Elizabeth Taylor; former members of Congress, Rep. Edward R. Roybal, Rep. John F. Seiberling and Sen. Warren B. Rudman; the former director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Atty. Jack Greenberg; and former Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox.