United States Representative John Lewis (Democrat of Georgia) listens as U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama honor him and the other recipients of the 2010 Medal of Freedom, "the Nation's highest civilian honor presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors", in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. Photo by Ron Sachs / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM