Can you think of two more worthy recipients?
President Zelensky is being awarded by the foundation for ‘showing resilience, strength and courage in the face of Russia’s invasion’ into Ukraine in late February. Zelensky, as you’ll remember, is a former actor and comedian, who became a wartime hero, leading his nation’s resistance from the capital Kyiv.
The foundation said Cheney is being recognized for ‘showing resilience after she received numerous threats from her colleagues and others for being one of the few GOP lawmakers to denounce former President Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen’, as well as being ousted from her leadership position with the House Republican Conference.
In a statement, Cheney expressed her gratitude for the honor, also acknowledging fellow recipient Zelensky, saying, that the leader of Ukraine is teaching a new generation of Americans how to show “absolute and uncompromising courage” against tyranny.
“In America, we have also seen how fragile our democratic institutions can be, and we have learned that they do not defend themselves,” she said.
“We – each one of us – must do that. If we do not stand for truth, the rule of law and our Constitution, if we set aside our founding principles for the politics of the moment, the miracle of our constitutional republic will slip away.”
They both are fighting for democracy.