Wednesday (11/17) on the Los Angeles Times blog Culture Monster, David Ng reports, “The White House announced Wednesday that President Obama will bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the country’s highest civilian honor—on 15 individuals, including artist Jasper Johns and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The awards, which will be presented in early 2011, are intended to honor individuals who have made ‘especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.’ In a statement, Obama said this year’s honorees have ‘lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place.’ … Regarded as one of the top cellists in the world, Ma has performed as a soloist with most major symphony orchestras and has won multiple Grammy Awards for his recordings. In 2009, Obama selected Ma to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.”
Posted November 18, 2010
