WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today applauded the selection of baseball legend and former St. Louis Cardinal Stan Musial to be a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award is the highest honor presented to a civilian in the United States by the president, and McCaskill recommended Musial to President Obama earlier this year.

"Stan Musial is the greatest Cardinal ever. And even better, he has been the kind of role model that America longs for. He has always cared about his community, his country, his fans, and his teammates much more than he cared about his own glory. On behalf of millions of Missourians, I couldn't be prouder that the president has chosen to recognize our hero with the Presidential Medal of Freedom," McCaskill said.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes those who have made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The award was first given by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service, and was revived in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

In February of this year, McCaskill led the bi-state Congressional delegation, including Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Kit Bond (R-MO), in encouraging the president to consider Musial for the honor. In her letter, McCaskill described his qualifications, writing: "Whether it is his service to the community as a board member for the USO, Boy Scouts, Senior Olympics, President's Council on Physical Fitness, Crippled Children's Society of St. Louis, and the Shelter for Children, or the way he led by example with his ‘gentleman-sportsman' demeanor; whether it is his contributions to world peace as an unofficial emissary to the people of Poland during the Cold War or his international recognition as a recipient of the Cavalier Cross of the Order of Merit, the Polish government's highest civilian honor; whether it is his numerous unmatched records in baseball or his service in the U.S. Navy, one thing about Stan Musial is clear: he is an American hero."

McCaskill summed up her recommendation by saying, "It is time that Stan Musial is recognized by the White House for the contributions he has made to our country, and I urge you to take this opportunity to honor Stan ‘The Man.' "

A copy of McCaskill's letter to the president is available here.

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