Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens 2009 Medal for Distinguished Public Service

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has been selected as the recipient of the 2009 Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service. The medal was presented by Jack Ford, Chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and son of former President Ford at the annual dinner of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation on June 1, 2009 at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Pictured: Justice John Paul Stevens

Jack Ford stated in his remarks:

“In this, the third year, the medal will be presented in memory, as well as in recognition of the leadership attributes of President Ford. It is only fitting that the medal should be awarded to Justice Stevens, an extraordinary individual whose long career in public service has exemplified so many of the ideals championed by my father. Our nation has benefited for many years from Justice Steven’s distinguished service and unwavering commitment to the highest ideals of justice and integrity.”

The medal is given annually to an individual who has served the public good in the private or public sector and was established by the Board of Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation in 2003. Previous recipients have been Alan Greenspan, Richard Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, Betty Ford, the Men and Women of the United States Armed Forces, Carla A. Hills, Lee Hamilton, and James Baker.

Foundation Board Chairman Emeritus, Martin J. Allen, Jr., noted that “the criteria for the recipient are based on characteristics President Ford demonstrated in his public service. They include courage, strength of character, integrity, diligence and sound judgment, all of which have been characteristic of Justice Steven’s remarkable public service.”

Justice Stevens’ service on the Supreme Court has been marked with intellectual consistency, respect for Court precedent, and as a tireless champion for the rule of law.

In 2005, President Ford reflected on Justice Stevens’ thirty years on the Court and of his respect and admiration
for Justice Stevens. President Ford wrote: “Historians study the significant diplomatic, legislative, and economic events thatoccurred during a Presidential term to evaluate that Presidency… Let that not be thecase for my Presidency. For I am prepared to allow history’s judgment of my term inoffice to rest (if necessary, exclusively) on my nomination thirty years ago of John PaulStevens to the U.S. Supreme Court… He has served his nation well, at all times carrying out his judicial duties with dignity, intellect and without partisan political concerns.”

Photos of the Event