President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Freedom to more than a dozen political and cultural greats Tuesday, including basketball coach Pat Summit, rocker Bob Dylan, astronaut John Glenn and novelist Toni Morrison.
Obama added that Summitt, who led the University of Tennessee women's basketball team to more NCAA Final Four appearances than any other team, had helped pave the way for his two daughters, "who are tall and gifted."
"They're standing up straight and diving after loose balls and feeling confident and strong," he said. "I understand that the impact that these people have had extends beyond me. It will continue for generations to come."
The Medal of Freedom is presented to people who have made meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to world peace or to other significant endeavors.