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.
PAST FREEDOM AWARD RECIPIENTS:
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:
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
2010:
Cokie Roberts, Journalist and author
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)
1993:
Gilbert M. Grosvenor, National Geographic Society
