C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb will be awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom next month, the White House said Monday.
Lamb is one of eight recipients this year of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civil award, which was established in 1963,
“Brian P. Lamb has elevated America’s public debate and helped open up our government to citizens across the Nation,” the White House said in Monday’s announcement. “His dedication to a transparent political system and the free flow of ideas has enriched and strengthened our democracy.”
President Bush will honor Lamb and other Medal of Freedom recipients at a White House ceremony on Nov. 5.
“We are delighted to congratulate Brian Lamb on the announcement that he is to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Most Americans probably take for granted C-SPAN’s unique contribution to our democracy, but it is worth reflecting that it could have been a much different outcome without Brian Lamb,” the National Cable & Telecommunications Association said in a statement released Monday. “Brian was the industry’s torch carrier in persuading Congress more than a quarter-century ago to support his then-revolutionary idea of televising Congressional proceedings -- no easy task at the time. The cable industry thanks Brian for his extraordinary leadership in creating and guiding C-SPAN, which provides the American people a ringside seat to government and reflects the best about the conduct of a free people and their civic and governmental institutions.”
