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Amid Budget Fight and Egypt, Obama Honors Medal of Freedom Recipients

Februaryis known as a time of high stress in theas the presidentprepares its budget proposals for Congress.In 2011, February becamethe month President Obama celebrated the for thein his administration.

Puttingpartisan politics aside, Obama honored 15 individuals with the nation'shighest civilian honor.Recipients included political heavyweights,civil rights activists, artists and sports figures.

Themost humbling award was given posthumously to Dr. Tom Little, anoptometrist in Afghanistan who was murdered by the Taliban.Dr. Littleand his team were providing vision care on a humanitarian mission toAfghanistan to serve those in need of help.His widow received the award on Little's behalf.

Anotherpoignant moment came asreceived hismedal.A civil rights leader in the 1960s, Lewis was instrumental ingetting voting rights passed for African Americans.The man receiving the Medal ofFreedom may have unknowingly had a smallpart in the destiny of the manplacing the award around his neck. Afterward,of being given the high honor.

"It's an impossible dream," Lewis said of having an African-American president.

Perhapsthewas former President George H.W. Bush. Although politically opposed to Obama in several ways, Bush Sr. hasdevoted nearly 70 years of his life to public service going back to histime in the Navy when he signed up on his 18th birthday.The Medal ofFreedom serves as a culmination of Bush's entire life's work.

Otherchoices were close to Obama's heart.Poet Dr. Maya Angelou was awardedthe medal for her outspoken poetry and civil rights activism.Angelouwrote a poem for Obama's inauguration.Maya is also the first name ofObama's sister, named after Angelou herself.

WarrenBuffett was honored for being one of the most successful investors inthe world, not to mention one of the richest individuals.Hisinspiration has made many people become rich by investing their money.

BillRussell and Stan Musial were celebrated for their sportingachievements.Russell played center for the Boston Celtics.Musialshowed up in a Cardinal-red jacket, standing out from the crowd.

Yo-YoMa was honored for his inspiring cellist work and for his time hespends teaching children the art of music.The Grammy-winninginstrumentalist also performed at Obama's inauguration.

Itwas a day and a ceremony where Obama could be surrounded by his closestfriends inside the White House, outside it was a different story. Obama has to deal withand a budget which probably.

Everyfight has heroes.In the struggle for Obama's foreign and domesticagenda, he needed this time out to honor the recipients of the Medal ofFreedom for fighting the good fight.

WilliamBrowning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics. Born inSt. Louis, Browning is active in local politics and served as acampaign volunteer for President Barack Obama and Missouri Sen. ClaireMcCaskill.