McCain to receive Liberty Medal

The National Constitution Center announced on Thursday that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will be its 2017 Liberty Medal recipient.

The institution, which awards the prestigious medal annually, said in a statement that the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman and former GOP presidential nominee was chosen to receive the honor “for his lifetime of sacrifice and service.” 

Former Vice President Joe Biden, who serves as the chair of the Constitution Center’s Board of Trustees, will present the medal to McCain in October. 

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“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.”

The Liberty Medal is awarded to “men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe,” according to the National Constitution Center.

McCain, 80, has served in Congress for nearly 35 years, first as a member of the House and then in the Senate. Before that, he served for 22 years in the Navy, during which time he spent several years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

Past recipients of the Liberty Medal include the Dalai Lama, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Pakistani human rights activist Malala Yousafzai.