Mitchell wins Liberty Medal

Former Sen. George Mitchell was honored for his work for peace in Northern Ireland. At the climax of Philadelphia's commemoration of the day we rang in our nation's independence, former Senator George Mitchell received the 1998 Philadelphia Liberty Medal for helping bring peace to a besieged Northern Ireland. The medal, first given ten years ago, comes with a $100,000 award and honors "individuals or organizations from anywhere in the world that demonstrate leadership and vision in the pursuit of liberty of conscience or freedom from oppression, ignorance, or deprivation." Recipients of the medal are chosen by an international selection committee composed of leaders in government, world affairs, education, culture and business. The committee is chaired by University President Emeritus Martin Meyerson and the award is administered by Greater Philadelphia First, a regional business and civic leadership organization. Mitchell, 64, completed his undergraduate work at Bowdoin College before obtaining his law degree from Georgetown University. A Maine Democrat, he began his service in the U.S. Senate in 1980 and was Senate Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995. For six consecutive years he was also voted "the most respected member" of the Senate. But despite his time on the often contentious Senate floor, Mitchell brings to his role as peacemaker an optimism in human cooperation. "I believe with all my heart and soul that there is no such thing as a conflict that can't be ended," Mitchell said Saturday. "They're created and sustained by human beings. They can be ended by human beings. No matter how ancient the conflict, no matter how hateful, no matter how hurtful, peace can prevail." For 22 months beginning in June 1996, Mitchell led the Anglo-Irish talks, which this year resulted in a peace agreement between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. The settlement was approved by a majority of voters in Northern Ireland in a May 22 referendum, bringing to an end more than three decades of sectarian "Troubles." Mitchell also brought a bit of humor to the event, noting that the most excruciating aspect of his political experience was "the long nights listening to endless filibusters." However, he did point out that they prepared him well for the marathon negotiations in North Ireland. "Seeking an end to conflict is not for the timid or the tentative," he said. "There must be a clear and determined policy not to yield to the men of violence. Over and over, they tried to destroy the process in Northern Ireland. At times they nearly succeeded." In being awarded the medal, Mitchell follows in the footsteps of other dynamic forces for global change. The medal was first presented in 1989 to then-Polish President Lech Walesa for his work in ushering in a new age of popular rule to the former Soviet bloc state. Last year's winner, global news giant CNN International, was selected for its influence on the world's burgeoning democracies. Previously, the medal was jointly presented to former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Jordan's King Hussein in 1996 and in 1995 to South African Presidents Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk. Other winners include former President Jimmy Carter, late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, former Czech President and political dissident Vaclav Havel and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata. Over two thousand people attended the ceremony, which was held outside Independence Hall -- the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and of the adoption of the the United States Constitution in 1787. Mayor Ed Rendell, who presented the award, noted that of the seven he has bestowed, this was his favorite because "this time, it goes to a politician." Rendell read out a number of dictionary definitions for the word "politician," finally settling on the one that he thought best described Mitchell. "[Mitchell] practiced the art of government between groups and organizations until he bought peace to Northern Ireland," Rendell said. The ceremony was part of the city's 10-day Sunoco Welcome America! celebration, which concluded July 5 after a second night of fireworks. Highlights of the Independence Day celebration included art exhibits, a Huggies baby race and a free outdoor concert featuring Philadelphia natives Boyz II Men.