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Harper Lee Awarded Medal of Freedom

Posted Nov 6, 07 4:50 AM CST in Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Author Harper Lee and NAACP pioneer Benjamin Hooks yesterday received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, for their work for racial equality. Lee, 81, wrote the 1960 Pulitzer-winning classic To Kill a Mockingbird, which challenged racism and was made into a powerful movie featuring Gregory Peck. The book "influenced the character of our country for the better," said President Bush.

Hooks headed the NAACP for 15 years and was the first black criminal court judge in Tennessee. "He never tired of demanding that our nation live up to its ideals of liberty and equality," said Bush. Also among those honored were the first female president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and Cuban dissident Elias Biscet.

Source Reuters

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President Bush, left, presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Civil Rights pioneer Benjamin Hooks, Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday,...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, shares a laugh with author Harper Lee, as he presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov....   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington....   (Associated Press)
President Bush. right, presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Hyde, to honor his father, former Illinois Rep. Henry Hyde, Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, during a ceremony in the East Room of the...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, looks on at right, after he presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom for jailed Cuban human rights activst Oscar Elias Biscet to his stepson Yan Valdes Morejon, left, and daughter Winnie,...   (Associated Press)
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civil rights  • Tennessee  • civil rights movement  • NAACP  • Ellen Johnson Sirleaf  • Harper Lee  • To Kill A Mockingbird


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