Dr. Biscet, a Christian pro-life activist and medical doctor who opposes abortion, the death penalty and Cuba’s Communist leadership, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment on April 7, 2003, in a massive crackdown on human rights activists across the island.
In a letter obtained by BosNewsLife earlier this year, Dr. Biscet said had been forced to watch abuses "that threaten the decorous behavior of a civilized society" but stressed he trusts God to one day end his "unjust sentence."
President Bush announced Monday, October 29, that the 46-year-old Dr. Biscet was honored for championing "the fight against tyranny and oppression" in Cuba despite being persecuted and imprisoned for his beliefs, the White House said.
OTHERS RECOGNIZED
Among others to be officially recognized during a White House ceremony on November 5 is Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first woman elected president in Africa. She recognized "for helping heal a country torn by civil war and expanding freedom," the White House said in a statement.
Other medal recipients, who will be honored include Nobel Prize-winning economist Gary Becker, Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, civil rights leader Benjamin Hooks, Henry Hyde, a former Republican congressman from Illinois praised by the White House for being a "powerful defender of life" and an advocate for a strong national defense, Brian Lamb, co-founder of the C-SPAN cable network and Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird," which the White House said, "helped focus the country on the struggle for equality."
The Medal of Freedom was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their efforts during World War Two. The award was reinstated by President John 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."
