The Freedom Award: USCHS Annual Award | U.S. Capitol Historical Society

The United States Capitol Historical Society's Freedom Award

The U.S. Capitol Historical Society created its Freedom Award to recognize and honor individuals and organizations that have advanced greater public understanding and appreciation for freedom as represented by the U.S. Capitol and Congress. The Freedom Award was first presented on September 17, 1993, the eve of the 200th anniversary of the laying of the U.S. Capitol cornerstone by George Washington in 1793. This award, named for the statue that graces the Capitol’s Dome, is presented annually in recognition of the dedication of recipients to freedom, democracy, and representative government.

FREEDOM AWARD RECIPIENTS

House Speaker Mike Johnson presented the US Capitol Historical Society's 2024 Freedom Award to Reps. Derek Kilmer and William Timmons. Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie

TThe US Capitol Historical Society's 2024 Freedom Award to Reps. Derek Kilmer and William Timmons. Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie

2023 Freedom Award to Former House Clerk Cheryl L. Johnson Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie

Sen. Roy Blunt and USCHS President Jane Campbell at the 2022 Freedom Award
- Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie — Sen. Roy Blunt and USCHS President Jane Campbell at the 2022 Freedom Award - Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie

Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger and D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III, are presented the 2022 Freedom Award by 2021 Freedom Award recipients, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie — Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger and D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III, are presented the 2022 Freedom Award by 2021 Freedom Award recipients, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie

Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger and D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III, who accepting the Freedom Award on behalf of Washington’s law enforcement.
Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie — Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger and D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III, who accepting the Freedom Award on behalf of Washington’s law enforcement. Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie

Playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda receiving the 2017 Freedom Award from 2014 recipient, Congressman John Lewis Photo (c) Bruce Gurthrie

2017 USCHS Freedom Award Presentation: Lin-Manuel, Luiz and Luz Miranda Photo (c) Bruce Gurthrie

2017 USCHS Freedom Award Presentation: Representative Nancy Pelosi Speaks

Congressman Lewis accepts the Freedom Award — Congressman Lewis accepting the 2014 Freedom Award from then-USCHS President Ronald Sarasin

Congressman Lewis speaking at the 2014 Freedom Award

Speaker Nancy Pelosi presents the 2007 Freedom Award to Tom Foley (second from left) as Democratic leader Steny Hoyer, former Republican leader Bob Michel, Society President Ron Sarasin, and Congressman Norm Dicks look on.

Cokie Roberts celebrates her 2010 Freedom Award with her husband, Stephen Roberts, her mother the Hon. Lindy Boggs, and her daughter Rebecca Roberts.

Cokie Roberts received the 2010 Freedom Award.

Jim Lehrer receives the 2003 Freedom Award from USCHS President Ronald Sarasin and Trustee Cokie Roberts — Jim Lehrer receives the 2003 Freedom Award from then-USCHS President Ronald Sarasin and Trustee Cokie Roberts

Lee Hamilton receives 2005 Freedom Award presented by USCHS Pres. Ron Sarasin.

Architects of the Capitol Alan Hantman, Christine Merdon, and Stephen Ayers received marble replicas of the Capitol. USCHS Chairman Donald Carlson, right.
Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie — Architects of the Capitol Alan Hantman, Christine Merdon, and Stephen Ayers received marble replicas of the Capitol. USCHS Chairman Donald Carlson, right. Photo (c) Bruce Guthrie

The Honorable Norman Mineta accepts the 2013 Freedom Award

Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie

2024:

Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA 6th District)

Representative William Timmons (R-SC 4th District)

2023:

The Honorable Cheryl L. Johnson Former Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives

2022:

The United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia

2021:

Senators Amy Klobuchar and Roy Blunt, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressional Electoral College Tellers

2020:

Dr. Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress

2018:

The Architect of the Capitol (organization)

2017:

Lin-Manuel Miranda, playwright

2016:

David McCullough, historian

2014:

Congressman John Lewis

2013:

The Honorable William S. Cohen, Congressman, Senator, and 20th Secretary of Defense; and The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, Congressman, 33rd Secretary of Commerce, and 14th Secretary of Transportation

2012:

Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker

2011:

Senator Daniel Inouye and Congressman John Dingell

2010:

Cokie Roberts, Journalist and author

2009:

Senator George McGovern and Senate Historian Emeritus Richard A. Baker

2008:

The Honorable Howard H. Baker, Jr., Senate Majority Leader and U.S. Ambassador to Japan

2007:

The Honorable Tom Foley, 49th Speaker of the House of Representatives and U.S. Ambassador to Japan

2005:

Congressman Lee H. Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The Center for Congress at Indiana University

2004:

Dr. Robert V. Remini, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Chicago

2003:

Jim Lehrer, Journalist

2002:

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress

2001:

The Honorable Corinne “Lindy” Claiborne Boggs, Congresswoman and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See

2000:

The Honorable Clarence “Bud” Brown, Congressman and 2nd President of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society (1993-1999)

1998:

Officer Jacob “J.J.” Chestnut and Special Agent John M. Gibson, U.S. Capitol Police (presented posthumously)

1997:

C-SPAN and its founder, Brian Lamb

1996:

Senator Bob Dole and Congressman Sonny Montgomery

1995:

The Honorable George M. White, 9th Architect of the Capitol (1971-1995)

1994:

Senator George J. Mitchell and Congressman Robert H. Michel

1993:

Gilbert M. Grosvenor, National Geographic Society