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Architects of the Capitol Alan Hantman, Stephen Ayers, and Christine Merdon accept the Freedom Award from USCHS Chairman Donald Carlson.
The U.S. Capitol Historical Society created its Freedom Award to recognize and honor individuals and organizations that have advanced greater public understanding and appreciation for freedom as represented by the U.S. Capitol and Congress. The Freedom Award was first presented on September 17, 1993, the eve of the 200th anniversary of the laying of the U.S. Capitol cornerstone by George Washington in 1793. This award, named for the statue that graces the Capitol’s Dome, is presented annually in recognition of the dedication of recipients to freedom, democracy, and representative government.
PAST FREEDOM AWARD RECIPIENTS:
2018: Architect of the Capitol
2017: Lin-Manuel Miranda, playwright
2016: David McCullough, author
2012: Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker
2011: Senator Daniel Inouye and Congressman John Dingell
2010: Cokie Roberts, Journalist and author
2009: Senator George McGovern and Senate Historian Emeritus Richard A. Baker
2008: Ambassador and Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., former Senate Majority Leader and Ambassador to Japan
2007: Ambassador and Congressman Tom Foley, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Ambassador to Japan
2006: David Broder, Journalist
2005: Congressman Lee H. Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The Center for Congress at Indiana University
2004: Dr. Robert V. Remini, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Chicago
2003: Jim Lehrer, Journalist
2002: U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress
2001: Congresswoman Corinne “Lindy” Claiborne Boggs
2000: Congressman Clarence “Bud” Brown, USCHS President, 1993-1999
1998: Officer Jacob “J.J.” Chestnut and Special Agent John M. Gibson, Capitol Police (presented posthumously)
1997: C-SPAN and its founder, Brian Lamb
1996: Senator Bob Dole and Congressman Sonny Montgomery
1995: George M. White, Architect of the Capitol, 1971-1995
1994: Senator George J. Mitchell and Congressman Robert H. Michel
1993: Gilbert M. Grosvenor, National Geographic Society