President George W. Bush on Tuesday gave the United States' highest civilian award to three foreign leaders who have been among his most loyal partners on the world stage.
Bush awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and to two former leaders: former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. The awards come just one week before Bush leaves office.
"They are the sort of guys who look you in the eye, and tell you the truth and keep their word," Bush said during his final scheduled event in the White House's East Room.
The president himself clasped the medals around each man's neck after a military aide read citations in the leaders' honor.
Bush described the three men as "good friends" of the United States who maintained personal and public friendships even as public sentiment shifted.
"You'll always be welcomed in our country. And we hope to have you come down and visit us in Texas," said Bush, who plans to retire to Texas when President-elect Barack Obama takes office on Jan. 20. "As you probably have heard, we're changing addresses here in a little less than seven days."
Blair and Howard stood with Bush during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan that toppled the al-Qaeda-backed Taliban government. They also supported Bush as he invaded Iraq in 2003, a decision that defined the remainder of his presidency and deeply divided his country.
Other members of Bush's former circle also joined the ceremony. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who was the United States' top diplomat during Bush's first term, sat in the front row. Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who oversaw the military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and his Pentagon deputy Paul Wolfowitz also joined.
The Medal of Freedom was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their efforts during World War II. The award was reinstated by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to honor distinguished service. It is given to those deemed to have made remarkable contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, culture or other private or public endeavors.
Prior to the three leaders, Bush has awarded 78 medals during his tenure in office. Bush gave the awards to other international figures, including South African leader Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and former Czech President Vaclav Havel.
Among the most controversial came in December 2004, when Bush gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former CIA Director George Tenet, former Iraq administrator L. Paul Bremer and retired Gen. Tommy Franks, three people central to his early policy in Iraq. Bush was especially criticized for including Tenet, who came under fire for intelligence failures leading to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the Iraq war.
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