1600 Daily The White House • August 22, 2019 President Trump presents Medal of Freedom to Basketball Legend

The White House • August 22, 2019 President Trump presents Medal of Freedom to basketball legend  This afternoon, President Donald J. Trump presented the Medal of Freedom to Robert “Bob” Cousy—the “Houdini of the Hardwood” who is celebrated as one of the greatest players in the history of basketball. Off the court, Cousy fought racism and became a leader for racial equality both within and beyond the NBA. He was instrumental in the creation of the NBA Players Association, established in 1954 to protect the rights of athletes in the league.  President Trump: “You’re one of the all-time greats in the history of sports.” Cousy became a symbol of greatness during his time as a point guard for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963. His playmaking abilities stood out from other guards, introducing a new blend of ball-handling and passing skills to the NBA—the legacy of which can be seen in today’s athletes. His Hall of Fame career speaks for itself: 6 NBA Championships, 13 All-Star appearances, and an unprecedented 8 straight years leading the league in assists. He won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award in 1957. His contributions to the game continued long after he retired as a player. He went on to coach in the league for several years before becoming a broadcaster for Celtics games. Today, Cousy’s #14 jersey hangs in the rafters of the Boston Garden arena. President Trump awards Bob Cousy with America’s highest civilian honor. Trump Administration cancels student debt for 25,000 disabled veterans Yesterday, President Trump visited Louisville, Kentucky, to attend the American Veterans 75th National Convention. Before a crowd of thousands of veterans, the President announced new executive action that will ensure 25,000 of America’s wounded warriors receive the education benefits they’ve rightfully earned. The newly signed Presidential Memorandum will “eliminate every penny of federal student loan debt owed by American veterans who are completely and permanently disabled,” President Trump said. Of the some 50,000 disabled veterans qualified to have these loans discharged, only about half have received their benefit. Now, the burdensome process to obtain this hard-earned assistance will be simplified, setting the stage to wipe out an average of $30,000 in debt for the 25,000 remaining eligible veterans. See what President Trump is doing to fight for America’s veterans. Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead President Donald J. Trump awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Cousy | August 22, 2019 Privacy Policy | Contact the White Ho