Sweeney Receives Medal of Freedom, Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor

Sweeney Receives Medal of Freedom:AFL-CIO President John Sweeney emeritus today received the President Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor during a ceremony at the White House.
Sweeney served as president of the AFL-CIO from 1995-2009 and transform the labor movement in the vote for all working Americans. Under his leadership, the AFL-CIO at the forefront of efforts to strengthen the middle class, create good jobs for all Americans, and fighting corporate greed.
Sweeney said he was "deeply honored to receive this award among so many excellent receiver."

    It is with great admiration and respect that I accept this award on behalf of hardworking Americans. I am deeply fortunate to be able to devote his life to protecting and promoting the rights of working families everywhere.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said:

    Of the many individuals who received the Medal of Freedom President, nobody is more worthy than John Sweeney.

    No matter how high he rose, John was living the values that attracted labor movement as a young man, and he never retreated from his commitment to working people, who were the heart and soul of the working class immigrant community in which he grew up. John's integrity, dedication and enthusiasm for the smallest of us has earned the recognition that all workers can be proud of.
Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States recognizes those individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private efforts."
Sweeney was one of 15 honorees at a ceremony at the White House with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.