Entertainment

Bush Awards 11 Medals Of Freedom

July 24, 2003 / 8:30 AM EDT / AP

A few chuckles were heard Wednesday when President Bush, who was rebuffed by France in the run-up to the war in Iraq, presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Julia Child, a master chef known for her French cuisine.

"Julia Child already holds the highest distinction of the French government," Mr. Bush said as some in the East Room audience broke into brief laughter. "She was awarded the Legion of Honor for sharing with millions of Americans the appreciation and artistry of French cooking."

Child, who will be 91 next month, had her niece accept her award. She was one of 11 people who received the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, for their accomplishments in culture, politics, science, sports and business.

Only five of the 11 were present to receive their awards. The rest of the medals, including three given posthumously, were picked up by relatives.

"For most recipients this award is a special distinction added to many prior honors," said Mr. Bush. "Some recipients are no longer with us, but are still highly regarded and fondly remembered."

The Medal of Freedom, established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their service during World War II, was reinstated by President Kennedy in 1963 to honor distinguished service. This is the second time the Bush administration has presented Presidential Medals of Freedom at the White House.

"Americans are not always in the mood for exquisite meals — sometimes all they want is a hamburger at the drive-up window," Mr. Bush said in celebrating the second recipient: Dave Thomas, who created the Wendy's restaurant chain. The fast food mogul and philanthropist, who died last year, was adopted as a child and was a lifelong advocate for adoption.

The president helped Charlton Heston, who has said he is suffering from symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, get up from his seat. Mr. Bush grabbed his hand and guided the Academy Award-winning actor a few steps to the front of the stage.

"The largest of character that comes across the screen has also been seen throughout his life," Mr. Bush said about Heston's role in films such as "Ben Hur," "The Ten Commandments" and "Planet of the Apes," as well as his stint as president of the National Rifle Association.

"All of us associate the name Van Cliburn with grace and the perfect touch at the piano," Mr. Bush said. In 1958 Cliburn, then 23, won the first Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition held in Moscow; he has since performed around the world.

About Vaclav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic, Mr. Bush said, "He has become one of liberty's great heroes." Havel was imprisoned several times in the former Czechoslovakia for his plays about Communist rule.

Other winners of the award:

Roberto Clemente, a Hall of Fame baseball star from Puerto Rico who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente, who had a lifetime batting average of .317, 240 home runs and 1,305 RBIs, died in 1972 while delivering emergency relief to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Byron White, who served 31 years as a Supreme Court justice, was an All-American athlete and Rhodes Scholar who earned a Bronze Star in World War II. He played in the National Football League before working in civil rights as a deputy attorney general and earning a spot on the high court. He retired in 1993 and died last year.

John Wooden, a college basketball coach and teacher whose UCLA Bruins won 10 national championships in 12 years.

James Q. Wilson, who has written on the nature of human morality, government and criminal justice. A professor at Harvard and UCLA, his books include "Varieties of Police Behavior," "The Moral Sense" and "The Marriage Problem."

Jacques Barzun, a former Columbia University professor and dean and a scholar of modern European thought and culture. His books include "Race, A Study in Modern Superstition" and "From Dawn to Decadence."

Edward Teller, a physicist who emigrated to America from his native Hungary to escape the rise of Nazi Germany. He worked on national defense projects such as the Manhattan Project and the Strategic Defense Initiative.