President Obama to Honor Latino Leader with America's Most Prestigious Award
July 31, 2009 - WASHINGTON, DC -- President Barack Obama will award the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16 people, including Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) Chairman and past Hispanic Heritage Awards Leadership Honoree Dr. Pedro José Greer Jr., who has long been recognized nationally as an advocate for the poor and homeless and as a national Latino leader.
"Dr. Joe" as he is known by friends, has been recognized by several former presidents dating back to President Carter for his commitment to Miami's poor. He is also the recipient of three Papal Medals as well as the prestigious MacArthur ``genius award.'' For eight years, Dr. Greer has served as Chair of HHF, which is a 24-year-old national leadership organization. Dr. Greer is also the subject of a movie project by Andy Garcia.
"We are thrilled to have Joe honored by President Obama and the White House for his leadership and indefatigable commitment to America's well being," said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF who was hired by Dr. Greer in 2002. "However, Dr. Greer has been honored through his work by tens of thousands of the underserved and most often forgotten segment of our population. As a role model, Dr. Greer has made himself personally available to hundreds of young people I've sent his way as well as providing me with guidance and support in growing our mission at HHF. His humility and integrity are what truly stand out among all the accomplishments."
Of Cuban descent, Dr. Greer has worked for years with Miami's Camillus Health Concern, the healthcare program he founded at Camillus House in 1984 to treat tens of thousands of poor and homeless people, Dr. Greer is among the co-founders of Florida International University's new medical school. He serves as assistant dean of academic affairs at FIU's College of Medicine, where he also serves as chair of the Department of Humanities, Health and Society. He is also the founder and medical director of the St. John Bosco Clinic, which provides basic primary medical care to disadvantaged children and adults in Wynwood. "I am deeply humbled by this incredible honor,'' Greer said. "I love medicine and what it can do for our community, particularly those in need. This is our country, this is our community and it's our responsibility as physicians to make sure we take care of those who need it most. But we also need leadership and leadership going forward and the Latino community is the most obvious community for us to invest. Teachers, engineers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and yes, healthcare providers are desperately needed in America and through the Hispanic Heritage Foundation we have created a sustainable model for Latinos to fulfill the need in the classroom, community and workforce. Being honored by the President in amazing but for eight years I've been a part of honoring America's future -- and the future is very bright.''
Greer joins a distinguished list of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients. Among the 16 being recognized are Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, British physicist Stephen Hawking, former Irish President Mary Robinson and Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, founder of micro-lending. The medals are the first to be awarded by Obama and they represent the highest U.S. honor for a civilian. President Obama will present the awards during at an August 12th ceremony.
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation's mission is to identify, inspire, prepare and position Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce. Please visit www.HispanicHeritage.org for more information.
