President's Medal
Eric Liu
Renowned author and public intellectual, Eric Liu, was honored for his commitment to progressive change and his dedication to the greater public good. Fueled by his belief in the power of an idea to transform a nation, Liu speaks nationally about social and political issues.
Born in 1968 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Liu is the son of Chinese immigrants from Taiwan. Liu, a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, began his work in the public and political spheres during the Clinton administration. While in service at the White House, Liu worked first as a speechwriter and then as the President's Deputy Domestic Policy Adviser
Liu's first publication, The Accidental Asian: Notes of a Native Speaker, is a New York Times Notable Book that focuses on difficult social issues related to race and identity. His second book, Guiding Lights: The People Who Lead Us Toward Our Purpose in Life, advances the notions of change and leadership and was named the Official Book of National Mentoring Month.
Liu's most recent work, a collaborative effort with entrepreneur Nick Hanauer, is a Thomas Paine-style pamphlet entitled The True Patriot. The book grapples with core American values in an effort to challenge the manner in which people view their political and social identities. The True Patriot has initiated a national dialogue encouraging Americans to increase their level of civic engagement and essentially redefine patriotism.
In 2002, the World Economic Forum named Liu as one of the 100 Global Leaders of Tomorrow.