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| President Biden places on the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Khizr Khan. |
The 71-year old Pakistani American patriot was one of 17 Americans who received the honor Friday, July 7.
“I was humbled when I was informed that I am the recipient of this highest civilian recognition of this nation,” Khan said in a Daily Progress interview prior to getting his medal. “My life has been a testament to the goodness of this country, to the foundational values of equality, dignity and diversity that are at the foundation of this country.”
“I was humbled when I was informed that I am the recipient of this highest civilian recognition of this nation,” Khan said in a Daily Progress interview prior to getting his medal. “My life has been a testament to the goodness of this country, to the foundational values of equality, dignity and diversity that are at the foundation of this country.”
As a Gold Medal father who had spoken about patriotism and against the war in Iraq after the loss of his son, he was invited to speak at the 2016 Democratic Convention by the Hillary Clinton campaign. What happened is now a part of political history.
Conventioneers were busy running around lobbying for votes. Khan began his emotion-filled speech and heads turned to the stage. He delivered a short speech that rocked the convention and reverberated across America.
As attention turned to the podium, Khan's voice slightly quivering from nerves, got stronger as he went on.
“Donald Trump, you are asking Americans to trust you with our their future. Let me ask you: Have you even read the United States Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy,” Khan said, reaching inside his jacket and began waving the booklet about the Constitution in the air. “In this document, look for the words ‘liberty’ and ‘equal protection of law.’
By now, the whole convention hall was paying attention to Khan, who came to America in 1980 after living in the United Arab Emirates.
“Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of the brave patriots who died defending the United States of America – you will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one.”
Since that seminal moment, he has become a celebrity and advocate and defender of democracy. He founded the Constitution Literacy and National Unity Center and is a prominent advocate for the rule of law and religious freedom . President Biden appointed him to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Conventioneers were busy running around lobbying for votes. Khan began his emotion-filled speech and heads turned to the stage. He delivered a short speech that rocked the convention and reverberated across America.
As attention turned to the podium, Khan's voice slightly quivering from nerves, got stronger as he went on.
“Donald Trump, you are asking Americans to trust you with our their future. Let me ask you: Have you even read the United States Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy,” Khan said, reaching inside his jacket and began waving the booklet about the Constitution in the air. “In this document, look for the words ‘liberty’ and ‘equal protection of law.’
By now, the whole convention hall was paying attention to Khan, who came to America in 1980 after living in the United Arab Emirates.
“Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of the brave patriots who died defending the United States of America – you will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one.”
Since that seminal moment, he has become a celebrity and advocate and defender of democracy. He founded the Constitution Literacy and National Unity Center and is a prominent advocate for the rule of law and religious freedom . President Biden appointed him to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.
Also receiving this country’s highest civilian honor are Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and the late U.S. Sen. John McCain. The award is given to those who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.
Also receiving this country’s highest civilian honor are Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and the late U.S. Sen. John McCain. The award is given to those who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.
“The Fourth of July week reminds us what brought us together long ago and still binds us — binds us at our best, what we strive for,” Biden said. “We the people, doing what we can to ensure that the idea of America, the cause of freedom, shines like the sun to light up the future of the world.
“This is America,” he said, gesturing to the stage full of award winners.
“These seventeen Americans demonstrate the power of possibilities and embody the soul of the nation – hard work, perseverance, and faith,” the White House said in a statement.
“This is America,” he said, gesturing to the stage full of award winners.
“These seventeen Americans demonstrate the power of possibilities and embody the soul of the nation – hard work, perseverance, and faith,” the White House said in a statement.
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