Congressional Gold Medal
President Bill Clinton awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Fr. Hesburgh on July 13, 2000. One of the nation's highest civilian honors, it was presented in recognition of Fr. Hesburgh's many distinguished contributions to civil rights, higher education, and service to the global humanitarian community. First awarded to General George Washington in 1776, other notable recipients include Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, and General Colin Powell.