President consents to give Warren Buffett top award

Albuquerque News.Net
Friday 19th November, 2010

The White House, in recognition of Warren Buffet's pledge to donate 99% of his net worth to charity, will award the US’s highest civilian honour to the billionaire investor.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom will go to Mr Buffet and fourteen other recipients at the White House next year.

Also receiving medals will be German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former President George Bush Sr, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and others.

The White House said the honourees would receive their medals for widespread contributions to US interests, culture and world peace.

The following others will also receive the medal:

Democratic Congressman John Lewis, a veteran civil rights leader and one-time associate of Martin Luther King.

Environmental activist and lawyer John Adams.

Artist Jasper Johns.

Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein.

Dr Tom Little (posthumous), who was executed by the Taliban in August while on an aid mission.

Civil rights activist Sylvia Mendez.

Baseball great Stan Musial.

Bill Russell, the first black coach in the US National Basketball Association.

Former ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith.

Longtime labour leader John Sweeney.

Have your say on this story