Bishop Desmond Tutu bows his head as he waits for President Barack Obama to present him with a 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama reaches around the head dress of Chief Joseph Medicine Crow to place a 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom around his neck, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama presents a 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom to former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to tennis legend Billie Jean King during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington August 12, 2009. Obama presented the nation's highest civilian honour to 16 recipients at the White House ceremony.
REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES POLITICS SPORT)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) hugs veteran actor Sidney Poitier after presenting him with the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, August 12, 2009. Obama presented the nation's highest civilian honour to 16 recipients during the ceremony. REUTERS/Jason Reed
(UNITED STATES POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY SOCIETY)
Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, left, looks on as actress Chita Rivera, center, laughs with Dr. Janet Davison Rowley, right, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, during a ceremony where President Barack Obama awarded them with the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)