Sen. John McCain to be presented Liberty Medal by Joe Biden
Jul 6, 2017, 9:56 AM | Updated: Mar 1, 2018, 4:01 pm
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will be presented the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal later this year by former Vice President Joe Biden.
“I’m honored to receive this year’s Liberty Medal from my dear friend and a great American leader, Joe Biden,” McCain said in a press release.
McCain will be given the annual award because of his “lifetime of sacrifice and service” for the American people, the center said in the release.
“In our over two decades serving together in the United States Senate, there were few others I could count on to be as honest, respectful, and decent as [McCain],” Biden said.
“His heroic sacrifice for his country and dedicated service to his constituents are unquestionable and unmatched.”
McCain served in the Navy before his government career. His plane was shot down over Hanoi, Vietnam in 1967 and he spent years as a prisoner of war.
He began his government career in 1982, when he was elected to the U.S. House. In 1986, he was elected to the U.S. Senate.
McCain was re-elected in November.
The senator will be given the award during a ceremony in Philadelphia that is scheduled to be held Oct. 16.
“The longtime friendship and collaboration between Vice President Biden and Sen. McCain exemplifies the nonpartisan spirit of the National Constitution Center,” Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the center, said.
“In these polarized times, it’s more important than ever to unite public servants of different perspectives.”
Past recipients of the award include the Dalai Lama, U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
