Retired state Supreme Court Justice Alan Page has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the nation. Page was among six other honorees who were presented the award today by President Donald Trump at a White House ceremony.
Page became the first Black Minnesota Supreme Court Justice in 1993 and served for 22 years. Prior to that, he was a Minnesota Vikings Most Valuable Player in 1971 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. While playing for the Vikings, he obtained his law degree and practiced law during the off-season.
After retiring from the NFL in 1981, Justice Page practiced law full-time before winning a seat on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
The award comes on the heels of a personal loss for Page. His wife Diane died of breast cancer in late September of this year. Together they launched the Page Education Foundation in 1988. The organization has provided scholarships to nearly 7,000 students of color since its launch.
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The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded 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.
Watch the full ceremony below. Go here for a full list of this year’s recipients.
—Information provided by WhiteHouse.gov
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