From @lex-luthor.ai.mit.edu:jcma@REAGAN.AI.MIT.EDU  Wed Jun 23 00:05:15 1993
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1993 20:17-0400
From: The White House <75300.3115@compuserve.com>
To: Clinton-News-Distribution@campaign92.org
Subject: President Presents Medal of Freedom to Arthur Ashe 6.20.93

                         THE WHITE HOUSE

                  Office of the Press Secretary

                                                                  
For Immediate Release                             June 22, 1993

           PRESIDENT PRESENTS MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO ASHE

(Washington, DC)    President Clinton awarded a posthumous 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian 
honor, to tennis great Arthur Ashe at the National Sports Awards 
Ceremony at Constitution Hall Sunday night.

     Presenting the medal to Ashe's widow, Jeanne, the President 
noted that Ashe, "battled his way to the top rung of 
international tennis -- and he did it with an inner strength and 
outward dignity that marked his game every bit as much as that 
dazzling crosscourt backhand."

     Speaking earlier Sunday at the White House, the President 
called Ashe, "An extraordinary man who lived by the words, `Thou 
shalt not close a door behind you.'"  

     The National Sports Awards will be telecast tonight on NBC.

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