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We the people ask the federal government to Take or explain a position on an issue or policy:

Award Yogi Berra The Presidential Medal of Freedom for his military service and civil rights and educational activism.

Created by C.S. on May 09, 2015

Yogi Berra should be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A man of unimpeachable integrity and respect, he befriended the first black and Latino baseball players in Major League Baseball. He is currently an ambassador for Athlete Ally, which promotes LGBT rights in sports. Berra enlisted in the U. S. Navy during World War Il and served during the D-Day invasion. He continues to be an avid supporter of our armed forces. Berra greatly values education. While with the Yankees, he created a scholarship at Columbia University that is still active 50 years later. His namesake Museum & Learning Center serves 20,000 students annually with character education programs and teaches the values of respect, sportsmanship and inclusion that Berra has demonstrated throughout his life and career.

Education

Response to Petition

A Response to Your Petition on Yogi Berra and the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Thanks for signing this petition about considering Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra for the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- America's highest civilian honor.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established more than 50 years ago by President John F. Kennedy through Executive Order 11085. The Presidential Medal of Freedom has been presented to more than 500 individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Each year, a new round of honorees are presented with the award. Recipients have ranged from world leaders like President Bill Clinton, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Mother Teresa, to pop culture and sports icons like Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, and Ernie Banks. President Obama has described Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients as having "lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place."

You can learn more about the award's history and its past recipients at WhiteHouse.gov/Medal-of-Freedom.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded at the President's sole discretion, and therefore our response to this petition cannot comment on whether any individual will receive the award in the future. We can, however, say that throughout his career as a Hall-of-Fame catcher for the New York Yankees and beyond, Yogi Berra has done a lot more than hit and think at the same time. He demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and character on his way to winning 13 World Series championships as a player and manager, with each new title feeling like déjà vu all over again. He served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II -- including the D-Day invasion, and has established himself as an advocate for civil rights, education, and inclusion of the LGBT community in sports.

He's demonstrated many of the qualities of past Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, so -- as he might say -- it ain't over 'til it's over.


Follow @WeThePeople on Twitter all day long for a series of Q+As with various Administration officials on the petition responses we released today.

Tell us what you think about this response and We the People.



Update 11/24/15:

An updated response to your petition on Yogi Berra:

We're pleased to share some good news about the petition you signed.

Today, President Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to Yogi Berra.

Watch what the President had to say about Lawrence “Yogi” Berra during his remarks.

See the other honorees.

We hope you enjoy it. Thanks as always for using the We the People platform.

-- We the People Team

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