Muhammad Ali named recipient of 2012 Liberty Medal

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been selected to receive the 2012 Liberty Medal, the National Constitution Center announced today.

The former world heavyweight champion, humanitarian, philanthropist and activist lived in Cherry Hill during the 1970s.

To older fans, he is perhaps the greatest boxer of all time. Younger generations know him as much for his courageous and ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease, which has dramatically slowed his movement and speech.

(snip)

The medal was established in 1988, to commemorate the bicentennial of the Constitution. It is given annually to honor men, women and groups who show courage and conviction in striving to secure liberty to people around the globe.


Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120705_Muhammad_Ali_named_recipient_of_2012_Liberty_Medal.html

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Got an alert on my phone and found a link!

Congrats to Mr. Ali!! Well deserved!

[LynneSin]

1. Normally they pick some real idiots for that award

This year was definately the exception!

Good choice with Ali!

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I remember when they picked Nelson Mandela

I think back in the early 90s. Had the opportunity to go the tribute in his honor later the evening after he had accepted the award here earlier that day. He definitely gave a rousing speech!

It's a shame when they moved the date for actually awarding this from July 4 until some date in September.

[LynneSin]

4. I was there when it was Thurgood Marshall

What an amazing speaker and to think Bush Sr. gave his Supreme Court seat to Clarence Thomas

[BumRushDaShow]

6. Boy do I miss Thurgood Marshall.

What disgrace that Thomas is the polar opposite of that magnificent Justice.

[LynneSin]

7. It's like McCain picking Palin because he thinks Hillary supporters vote with their ovaries

Just because Thomas is black like Marshall doesn't mean he's a worthy replacement. American people are smarter than that!

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Bingo!!!! n/t

[bananas]

2. Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee!

The great Mohammed Ali!

[BumRushDaShow]

5. He's definitely an inspiration to someone we know!

[demosincebirth]

9. This'll cause some back lash here on du, but I think they could have found someone with better

humanitarian credentials than Ali.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Last year's winner was Robert Gates

so this was a step up.

Here is what Ali has done:

http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/208-muhammad-ali

Here is a list of past winners:

http://constitutioncenter.org/libertymedal/recipients.html

[stlsaxman]

12. Amazing! Thank you!

"UN Messenger of Peace

Ali has helped serve 232 million meals worldwide. He has hand-delivered food and medical supplies to children in Asia, Africa and through North, South and Central Americas.

Ali is an official games spokesman for the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China."

Read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/208-muhammad-ali#ixzz1zmGRxpMu

[Faygo Kid]

15. Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice

University of Louisville. You could look it up: http://louisville.edu/aliinstitute/whatwedo

Drawing strength from the vision and work of Muhammad Ali, the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of Louisville develops initiatives that support human dignity, foster responsible citizenship, further peace and justice and address the impact of violence in local, state, national and international arenas. The Ali Institute has a special concern for young people living with violence in urban areas; therefore, we seek to equip the young and those working with them to be agents of peace and justice in their communities.

Because the Ali Institute recognizes that peace cannot exist in the absence of justice, we strive, through our work and energy, to be essential contributors to the cause of justice locally and around the world.

Whether for school children in the inner city of Louisville, farmers in rural Central America, teachers in a European capital or human rights workers in Africa, the Muhammad Ali Institute offers pertinent training, research, and hands-on assistance in support of their interest in creating lasting and effective strategies for peace.

[Marrah_G]

11. Congrats Mr. Ali !!!!!!

Nice choice NCC!

[RebelOne]

13. Thumbs up to Mr. Ali (aka Cassius Clay).

[rurallib]

14. "I ain't got no fight with no Viet Cong"

I can still remember the racist hoots at the television set at the bar my dad frequented.
Lost something like 5 prime years to stand up for what he believed in.

At about the same time Kareem Jabbar refused to play for the US Olympic team and Tommie Smith and John Carlos held their hands up in an improptu black power salute.
Folks, all those acts took an incredible amount of courage.

[Faygo Kid]

16. . . . They never called me nigger"

That about summed it up for that damned war. Kudos for remembering Smith, Carlos and Kareem. I remember, too.

[arcane1]

17. I shamelessly stole/paraphrased that line during the run-up to the Iraq invasion

Basically saying "No Iraqi ever tried to take away my freedom of speech"

[slackmaster]

18. K&R - I've always admired that man