BOSTON (AP) - The Latest on former President Barack Obama receiving the Profile in Courage Award at the John F. Kennedy presidential library (all times local):
10 p.m.
Former President Barack Obama is calling on members of Congress to show courage in the debate over the future of health care in America.
The Democrat spoke Sunday at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston after receiving the Profile In Courage Award from members of the Kennedy family. The annual award is presented to an elected official who takes courageous stances, often at their own political risk.
It was among the former president’s first speeches since leaving office and came just days after House Republicans passed a bill that would dismantle much of his signature health care law. It faces an uncertain future in in the Senate.
Obama did not criticize the GOP in his approximately 30-minute speech and never mentioned his successor, President Donald Trump.
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7:40 p.m.
Former President Barack Obama has arrived in Boston to be honored with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
The ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is among Obama’s first public appearances since leaving office. His speech Sunday will come just days after U.S. House Republicans passed a bill that would dismantle much of his signature health care law.
A long line of guests made their way down the red carpet into the library, including members of the Kennedy family, members of Congress, former Obama staffers and celebrities including former late-night talk show host David Letterman.
The annual award is named for JFK’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage and is presented to political figures who have taken courageous stances in public life.
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1:15 p.m.
Former President Barack Obama returns to the spotlight when he officially receives an award for political courage from the John F. Kennedy family.
Obama has been named this year’s recipient of the Profile in Courage Award. The Sunday night award presentation takes place at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.
Obama’s appearance comes just days after U.S. House Republicans won passage of a bill dismantling much of his signature health care law. The JFK Library Foundation announced the award in March, citing his push to expand health insurance to millions of Americans as one example of his putting policy above politics.
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