President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Freedom to George Romney, the late governor of Michigan and secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Nixon administration. Romney’s son, former Sen. Mitt Romney, accepted the award on his father’s behalf during a ceremony in the White House Saturday.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, and is given by presidents to those “who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,†according to a White House release.
Before he won three back-to-back two-year terms as the Republican governor of Michigan, Romney was the chairman and president of American Motors Corporation. Romney was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also a presidential candidate in 1968.
In his remarks, Biden explained why he chose this year’s medal recipients. “You answered the call to serve and led others to do the same thing. And you defend the values of America even when they’re under attack.â€
A recognition of George Romney was read by an announcer as Mitt Romney received the medal from Biden on behalf of his father: “Born to humble beginnings as the son of Mormon missionaries, George Romney developed a deep belief in the idea that everyone deserves a fair shot at the American dream. As a respected auto executive and three term Republican governor of Michigan, he served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, advanced civil rights, tackled poverty, and stood up for everyday Americans, embodying an enduring faith in God and a love of country.â€
Recently, in an interview with the Deseret News, Mitt Romney spoke about his father. As he packed up his Salt Lake office, Romney found a pin from his father’s 1962 campaign for governor.
“I would have a pocket full of these and go across the state and sell them for $1 a piece,†he said in the interview. “And at that time, that was a fair amount of money and was used to help the campaign, and I sold a lot of these. I was the number one salesman of these Romney pins.â€
“It reminded me that I never imagined I would get involved in politics. I did not expect that public service to be part of my life. My dad’s counsel to our family was, ‘Don’t get involved in politics unless your kids are raised and you’re independent financially, because you don’t want to have to win elections to pay the mortgage,’†Romney said, adding he didn’t think that would ever be the case for him.
Romney was one of 19 individuals awarded the medal by Biden. The other awardees included:
- José Andrés, who runs the World Central Kitchen.
- Singer and humanitarian Bono.
- Ash Carter, who served as secretary of Defense during the Obama administration, awarded posthumously.
- Hillary Clinton, a former Democratic senator, secretary of State and presidential nominee.
- Actor Michael J. Fox.
- LGBTQ activist Tim Gill.
- Conservationist Jane Goodall.
- Civil rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer.
- Retired basketball star Earvin “Magic†Johnson, who has also advocated on behalf of those suffering from AIDS.
- Fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
- Soccer star Lionel Messi.
- Entertainer Bill Nye.
- Baltimore Orioles owner David M. Rubenstein.
- Progressive donor and hedge fund billionaire George Soros.
- George Stevens, a playwright and director.
- Actor and director Denzel Washington.
- Vogue editor Anna Wintour.