Dem lawmaker nominates Christine Blasey Ford for JFK Profile in Courage Award

California Rep. Jackie Speier (D) said she is nominating Christine Blasey Ford, the Palo Alto University college professor who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault while they were in high school, for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

“Nominating Dr. Christine Blasey Ford – a true American (s)hero who sacrificed so much to do what was right for our country and for the pursuit of truth of justice – for this year’s Profiles in Courage Award @JFKLibrary,” Speier announced in a tweet on Tuesday.

“She is an inspiration to us all,” Speier added.

Nominating Dr. Christine Blasey Ford – a true American (s)hero who sacrificed so much to do what was right for our country and for the pursuit of truth of justice – for this year’s Profiles in Courage Award @JFKLibrary. She is an inspiration to us all.

— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) January 29, 2019

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award was created by members of the former president’s family in 1989 “to recognize and celebrate the quality of political courage that he admired most,” according to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

The award honors pubic officials whose actions “demonstrate the qualities of politically courageous leadership in the spirit of Profiles in Courage.”

{mosads}The honor is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. A recipient of the award is selected by a bipartisan committee that reviews nominations. Speier is not on the committee. 

Ford gained national recognition last year after she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee over her allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh.

During her testimony, she struggled to maintain her composure after saying she thought Kavanaugh might accidentally kill her when she claimed he put his hand over her mouth and pinned down her to a bed while groping her at a house party in the early 1980s.

Kavanaugh has strongly denied all allegations brought against him by Ford and other accusers who came forward last year.