For Immediate Release: April 27, 2012

SEATTLE, WA - Today, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) issued the following statement regarding the announcement that President Barack Obama had awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Gordon Hirabayashi and Dr. William Foege:

"I commend Dr. William Foege and the late Gordon Hirabayashi for both being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor.  Dr. Foege served as a medical missionary in Nigeria to care for villagers in a remote area.  This is where he encountered the devastating disease of smallpox.  He campaigned for an effective response to the virus rather than rely solely on a vaccine, which were was not enough supply for the demand.  He created the strategy against the spread of smallpox and ultimately led to its successful global eradication, called 'surveillance and containment,' in 1979. 

"As an undergraduate at the University of Washington, Mr. Hirabayashi openly defied the forced evacuation, relocation and internment of people of Japanese descent during World War II.  He had the bravery and strength to stand up for civil rights during a time when racism was widespread.

I have long admired both men and President Obama did the right thing in officially honoring Dr. Foege’s contribution to eradicating smallpox and Mr. Hirabayashi’s actions to preserve civil rights for all Americans ."

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