Chicago's Newton Minow, Bulls Legend Michael Jordan Honored At White House
(CBS) – President Obama has honored more Americans with the Medal of Freedom than any other president.
This year's class of 21 recipients was his biggest ever, and three honorees left an indelible mark on Chicago, Mr. Obama's home town.
CBS 2 Political Reporter Derrick Blakley reports from Washington.
One of the recipients, Newton Minow, helped transform television for the better, as FCC chairman and president of PBS. He was also a senior partner at Sidley Austin, where Obama's wife, Michelle, worked; a young Barack Obama was an intern and asked her out.
The two ran into Minow during their first date. "Imagine our surprise," Obama quipped.
Architect Frank Gehry transformed Chicago's lakefront, designing the sweeping Pritzker Music Pavilion, the centerpiece of Millennium Park.
Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA champion with the Bulls, made Chicago famous for basketball, not gangsters, during his celebrated run.
"There's a reason you call someone the 'Michael Jordan of' ... Michael Jordan is the Michael Jordan of greatness," Obama said.
Perhaps because of his own Chicago background, the president seemed to take particular pleasure in poking fun at His Airness, referring to him as "that guy from 'Space Jam.'"