Former gates medal

Since 1989, the Liberty Medal has been awarded annually to individuals or organizations whose actions strive to bring liberty to people around the world.

Previous recipients of the Liberty Medal include rock singer and human rights activist Bono, former South African President Nelson Mandela and. Six winners have subsequently received the Nobel Peace Prize.

The National Constitution Center, which opened in 2003 near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, is dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents
"At a time when our country faces deep economic and other obstacles at home and a world that just keeps getting more complex and more dangerous, those who think they alone have the right answers, who demonize those who think differently ... are a danger to the American people and to our future," said Gates, who was presented the 2011 Liberty Medal at a ceremony inside the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall, where he was honored for his 50 years of public service under eight presidential administrations.

While he acknowledged that “vitriol and nastiness are nothing new" in American discourse, he added that "we are in uncharted territory when it comes to the dysfunction in our political system." He said three polarizing trends are preventing “the ability to execute even the basic functions of government, much less solve the most difficult and divisive problems facing this country."

He specifically cited a highly partisan redistricting process, lack of a consistent strategy across multiple presidencies and Congresses to address complex problems, and an explosion of cable television channels, blogs and other electronic media that widely disseminate even the most extreme points of view."This system is clearly more democratic and open," he said, "but it has also fueled the coarsening and, I believe, the dumbing down of the national political dialogue."

Two Iraq War veterans, retired Army Capt. Anthony Odierno and Sgt. 1st Class Dana Graham, presented the medal to a visibly moved Gates.Odierno, winner of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, lost his left arm in a 2004 attack in Baghdad and presented the prestigious award to Gates on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project. Graham, who also received the Purple Heart and has been in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard since 2007, was representing the USO of Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.