Locals Recognized by Highest Civilian Honor

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- President Barack Obama announced on Thursday, the 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is America's highest civilian honor.

Out of the 16, six have a local connection:

Pedro Jose Greer, Jr. came to Jacksonville to be the Keynote Speaker at the Florida AIDS Summit 2000, back in February of that year. He also was part of the AIDS Education Training also in Jacksonville.

Jack Kemp, former Quarterback for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, turned politician, came to Jacksonville most recently in January 2008, to campaign for Senator John McCain's run for President.

Billie Jean King was an early investor and supporter of Discovery Zone, an indoors entertainment facility which opened up many stores throughout the Jacksonville area.

Former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, while she was on the supreme court ruled in favor to stop the Florida recount during the 2000 election.

Sidney Poitier starred in a movie in 1965 called 'A Patch of Blue,' which was famous for Poitier kissing a blind, white teenager, played by Elizabeth Hartman. People here in Jacksonville protested the release of the movie.

Desmond Tutu came to the University of North Florida in 1999 as part of the Presidential Lecture Series. He returned to the UNF campus in the spring 2003 semester to teach one three-credit hour class and give mini-lectures.

This only shows that Jacksonville's connection to the world community is only growing.

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