Remarks by President Trump at Presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    East Room  •  November 16, 2018  •  1:37 P.M. EST


President Trump awarding the Medal of Freedom in a ceremony in the East Room: Above. (White House photo)     Click image to expand.
    THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please. It's a great honor. Melania and I are thrilled to welcome you to the White House as we honor the recipients of our nation's highest civilian honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Something very, very special.

    We are joined today by many members of my administration, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Hello, Mike. Steve Mnuchin. Steve, thank you very much. Wilbur Ross, Alex Acosta, Matt Whittaker - Matt. Ben Carson, Betsy DeVos, Administrator Linda McMahon, Ambassador Lighthizer, and Acting Administrator - who, I will tell you, is going to be made permanent - he's done a fantastic job and I want to congratulate him - EPA - Andrew Wheeler. Where's Andrew? Congratulations, Andrew. (Applause.) Great job. Great job. Thank you very much.

    Thank you as well to Senator Amy Klobuchar for being here. Where is Amy, by the way? Where is Amy? I did better before, Amy.

    And for five decades - I have to say - the Presidential Medal of Freedom has been given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to American life and culture.

    This year, it is my true privilege to award this honor to seven extraordinary Americans: Senator Orrin Hatch; the late, great Justice Antonin Scalia; Miriam Adelson; Roger Staubach; Alan Page; and two more recipients who are no longer with us but whose legacies will live on forever - legendary Babe Ruth, legendary Elvis Presley. True legends.

    The first recipient is one of the longest-serving and most respected Senators in American history - Senator Orrin Hatch. A friend of mine, great friend of mine. He liked me right from the beginning and therefore I like him. (Laughter.) That helps. It's the way it is. I guess I'm not supposed to say it, but that's the way life works, right? (Laughter.)

    For the last 42 years, Senator Hatch has proudly represented the people of Utah, sponsoring more bills that have become law than any living legislator. From rewriting our tax code, to helping just hardworking Americans get through life, to reshaping our Courts to uphold the vision of our Founders, to protecting the religious freedom of all Americans, his achievements are too numerous to count.


    Senator Hatch is a true American Statesman. Today, Senator Hatch is joined by his incredible family; the love of his life, Elaine - they have been married for 61 years; along with their six children: Brent, Marcia, Scott, Kimberly, Alysa, and Jess. Congratulations - please stand up. Congratulations to you all. (Applause.) Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations to you all. Congratulations. Thank you very much. Thank you.

    The second recipient we honor today is one of the greatest - truly was one of the greatest jurists ever to serve our country: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Universally admired for his towering intellect, brilliant wit, and fierce devotion to our founding principles, Justice Scalia has made a deep and lasting impact on the history of our nation. His presence is dearly missed by all. Friend of a lot of people. Truly great intellect.

    Justice Scalia transformed the American legal landscape, igniting a national movement to apply the original meaning of the Constitution as written. Few have done more to uphold this nation's founding charter.

    Through nearly 900 written opinions and more than 30 years on the bench, Justice Scalia defended the American system of government and preserved the foundations of American freedom. Our whole nation is indeed indebted to Justice Scalia for his lifetime of noble and truly incredible service.

    Joining us for this ceremony is his wife Maureen - who's become a great friend of my family and myself - and their nine children: Ann, Gene, John, Catherine, Mary Clare, Paul, Matthew, Christopher, and Meg. You were very busy. Wow. (Laughter.) Wow. I always knew I liked him. (Laughter.)

    Also here are several of Justice Scalia's former colleagues - and very respected ones at that. It's a personal tribute that they are giving to their friend. Chief Justice Roberts, where are you? Thank you very much. Thank you.

    Justice Ginsburg - glad to see you are feeling great. Justice Alito, thank you. Justice Kagan, Justice Gorsuch, and Justice Kavanaugh, thank you very much. That's a great honor - looking down, saying thank you very much.

    Our next Medal of Freedom recipient is a renowned philanthropist, somebody who has worked so hard. Doesn't have to do it, but she does. Twenty-four hours a day, this is what she does. Miriam Adelson.

    A medical doctor, Miriam has dedicated her life to fighting addiction - something we're all becoming all too familiar with. Through decades of innovative research, philanthropy, and treatment, Miriam has helped thousands break free from their addiction to drugs and to alcohol.

    In 2006, Miriam and her husband Sheldon, who is with us today - thank you, Sheldon - established the Adelson Medical Research Foundation to prevent, reduce, or eliminate life-threatening diseases.

    To protect the sacred heritage of the Jewish faith, Miriam and Sheldon have supported Jewish schools, Holocaust Memorial organizations, and helped Jewish Americans visit the Holy Land. Miriam, I want to thank you very much for saving so many lives and helping so many people to get back to a normal way of life. You've been incredible. I know the work you've done. And you have been truly incredible.

    Here to celebrate Miriam's award is Sheldon. Where is Sheldon? Where is Sheldon? Where is he? There he is. Oh, why - you didn't make the front row. He's probably angry. (Laughter.) Thank you, Sheldon. And their children, Sivan, Yasmin, Adam, and Matan, as well as their son-in-law Patrick. Thank you all for being here. Please stand up. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Congratulations. Congratulations.


    And they were very happy to see the embassy move to Jerusalem. They were very happy about that. So congratulations on that also. They fought very hard for that. (Applause.) Capital of Israel.

    Our next recipient of the Medal of Freedom is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. I used to watch him when I was going to school, and I'd say, "They can't catch him. He's just better by far than everybody else." He is something. The winner of the Heisman Trophy, Roger Staubach.

    As a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, Roger set 28 football records. Upon graduation, he volunteered to deploy to Vietnam for one year and served in the Navy for a total of four years.

    At the age of 27 - which is a little late - he began his NFL career, and what a career it was. Over the next 11 seasons, Roger led the Dallas Cowboys to four Super Bowls, and earned Pro Bowl honors six times. His exceptional talent earned Roger a place in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    And I have to tell you, I had a golf match where Roger was my partner. And we were in deep trouble, and Roger was also in deep trouble. He was so deep in the weeds that you wouldn't believe it. (Laughter.) And we desperately need a par on the 18th hole to win. And he came out and hit a shot - I don't know how it happened, but he was this far from the hole. We got our par; we won. And I said, "That's Roger Staubach." (Laughter.) I hope you remember that, Roger. That was quite exciting.


President Trump awarding the Medal of Freedom to NFL Great Roger Staubach: Above. (White House photo)     Click image to expand.
    Roger and Marianne, his wife of 53 years, have generously supported thousands of Americans in need, including students, military families, and our truly great veterans. So helpful. Roger, you inspire Americans across the country to work hard, dream big, and always push on to victory.

    Roger became a great financial success - a very successful businessman - after his football career. His family is with us for this special ceremony - Marianne and their five children: Jennifer, Michelle, Stephanie, Jeff, and Amy. Please stand up. Please. Please stand up. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.

    Our next Medal of Freedom recipient is American football legend - and he was indeed a legend. He was tough, strong. Minnesota Supreme Court Justice - he became a Supreme Court Justice. So he's only nervous with all of these U.S. Supreme Court Justices. (Laughter.) Justice Alan Page. A very special man.

    A College Football Hall of Famer, Alan helped Notre Dame secure the National Championship in 1966. He went on to have a 15-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears. He became the first - and one of the only - defensive players to earn the league's MVP award. That happens very, very seldom.
President Trump awarding the Medal of Freedom to NFL Great Alan Page: Above. (White House photo)     Click image to expand.