Press Releases

Today, President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Citizens Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, to 20 Americans, including Maine’s own Mary Bonauto. Ahead of the ceremony, Pingree released the following statement expressing her congratulations:

“I am thrilled to congratulate Mary Bonauto, a trailblazer from Maine, on being awarded the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal. Mary’s relentless dedication to justice and equality has transformed the lives of countless Americans, particularly through her historic advocacy in the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which affirmed the right to marry the person you love.

“Mary’s work is a testament to the power of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, and her impact extends far beyond the courtroom. She has made Maine—and our nation—proud by standing up for the fundamental values of fairness and dignity for all.

“As we celebrate this well-deserved honor, let it inspire us to continue the fight for equality and to protect the hard-won rights that Mary has dedicated her career to securing.”

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