Cleric among the recipients of the Presidential Medal of freedom

In a ceremony at the White House yesterday, President Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of freedom to 16 people, among them a member of the clergy - Cordy Tindell "tac" Vivian. (White House press release.) (Full text of the speech of the President at the ceremony.) Vivian was a civil rights leader and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. participated in the freedom rides and sit-ins throughout the country and founded several civil rights organizations.  Religion news service has more.