Bush selects honorees for civilian medal

WASHINGTON -- President Bush has selected a dozen people, including an actress, a golf champion and a former senator, to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced Friday.

Two of the recipients will be honored posthumously, while the others have been invited to receive the nation's highest civilian honor at a White House ceremony with Bush next Wednesday.

The Medal of Freedom, established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their World War II service, was reinstated by President Kennedy in 1963 to honor distinguished service in a range of fields, including arts, sports, business and science.

Medal recipients include:

Robert L. Bartley, conservative journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winner who was editorial page editor of The Wall Street Journal for three decades. He died in December at age 66.

Edward W. Brooke, first black elected to the U.S. Senate since Reconstruction. A Republican who represented Massachusetts from 1967 to 1979, he was also a state attorney general.

Doris Day, singer and icon on the American movie screen in the '50s and '60s whose many film credits include "Calamity Jane" and "Pillow Talk."

Vartan Gregorian, scholar and historian who headed the New York Public Library in the 1980s. A former president of Brown University, he is currently president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Gilbert M. Grosvenor, chairman of the National Geographic Society who for decades has promoted exploration, research and geography education.

Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has served in church leadership since the 1930s.

Pope John Paul II, presented with the medal during Bush's June 4 Vatican visit. Bush called the pontiff "a devoted servant of God."

Estee Lauder, cosmetics pioneer who became a household name in the 1950s on the way to building a Fortune 500 company. She died in April at age 97.

Arnold Palmer, winner of 92 golf championships, including four Masters, two British Opens and the U.S. Open. He played his 50th and final Masters this year at age 74.

Arnall Patz, a world-renowned ophthalmologist and researcher of eye disease whose breakthrough work has helped prevent blindness.

Norman Podhoretz, neoconservative author and longtime editor of Commentary, the American Jewish Committee magazine.

Walter B. Wriston, former chairman and chief executive of Citibank and chairman of President Reagan's economic policy advisory board.