Congressman Paul Tonko will attend today’s ceremony at the White House honoring Dr. Tom Little of Delmar and fourteen others with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Medal of Freedom is 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.

Dr. Little and nine other members of an international medical team were killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan last August. Dr. Little spent 30 years providing eye care to the people of Afghanistan as part of a charity organization he directed.

Dr. Little is one of 15 people receiving the Medal of Freedom today; he is the only one who will be honored posthumously. The others being honored are: President George H.W. Bush, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Congressman John Lewis, John H. Adams, Maya Angelou, Warren Buffet, Jasper Johns, Gerda Weissman Klein, Yo-Yo Ma, Sylvia Mendez, Stan Musial, Bill Russell, Jean Kennedy Smith and John J. Sweeney.

What: Presentation of the Presidential Media of Freedom to 15 people, including Dr. Tom Little of Delmar

When: Tuesday, February 15, 1:30pm

Where: The East Room of the White House

                                                                                                            # # #