12/03/1979
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"He made our nation stronger because he made it better."
"The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award that's given in our country."
"I urge the communications media, educators, the aerospace industry, scientific and public-service organizations and the American people to join with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and S..."
"I am deeply moved to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with Martin Luther King, Jr., whose life and work contributed so richly to the ultimate freedoms we seek."