Dr. Yunus Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom 2009

August 12, 2009

President Obama places the Presidential Medal of Freedom around the neck of Dr. Yunus

President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Muhammad Yunus on August 12. It is the nation's highest civilian honor. Yunus received the award in recognition of his contribution as a global leader in anti-poverty efforts, and for his work as a pioneer in the use of "micro-loans" to provide credit to poor individuals without collateral. At the ceremony, President Obama said the 16 recipients of the award "remind us that we each have it within our power to fulfill dreams, to advance the dreams of others, and to remake the world for our children."

• Remarks by the U.S. President Barack Obama at the Medal of Freedom Ceremony 
• Read the Blog on WhiteHouse.gov: "Thank You to Some of the Finest Citizens" 
• Ambassador Moriarty Congratulates Dr. Muhammad Yunus for Winning the Presidential Medal of Freedom(PDF 247KB) 
• Read the announcement from The Briefing Room on WhiteHouse.gov:
  President Obama Names Medal of Freedom Recipients