President Joe Biden will honor Clarence B. Jones with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his activism during the Civil Rights Movement. Jones, 93, provided legal counsel to Martin Luther King Jr. and assisted in writing parts of the 'I Have a Dream' speech. Jones is among 19 individuals to be recognized for their exemplary contributions to the United States. The diverse group includes individuals from various fields such as politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, science, and religion.
Key Points
Jones provided legal counsel to Martin Luther King Jr. and helped write parts of the 'I Have a Dream' speech
19 individuals will be honored for their contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States
The recipients come from diverse fields such as politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, science, and religion
Pros
Recognition of Clarence B. Jones' activism during the Civil Rights Movement
Honoring individuals for their exemplary contributions to the United States
Cons
Three medals will be awarded posthumously, indicating that some recipients are no longer alive to receive the honor