The National Constitution Center will award Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the Liberty Medal for a “lifetime of sacrifice and service,” the organization announced Thursday.
“It has been my greatest privilege in life to swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, beginning with my enlistment in the Navy and continuing through my service in the United States Senate,” McCain said in a statement.
“Each time I have raised my right hand, I do so with enormous weight of the people who elected me to serve. I’m grateful to the National Constitution Center for this recognition, and am humbled to join the ranks of so many past Liberty Medal recipients I greatly admire.”
Former vice president and chair of the Philadelphia organization’s Board of Trustees, Joe Biden, will bestow the medal to McCain at a ceremony on Oct. 16.
“John epitomizes statesmanship,” Biden said. “In our over two decades serving together in the United States Senate, there were few others I could count on to be as honest, respectful and decent as John. His heroic sacrifice for his country and dedicated service to his constituents are unquestionable and unmatched.”
“I’m honored to receive this year’s Liberty Medal from my dear friend and a great American leader, Joe Biden,” added McCain.
McCain is a six-term senator who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee and previously served in the Navy prior to turning to politics.
Previous medal recipients have included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Rep. John Lewis, D-Md.; His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet; and Malala Yousafzai.
