Obama to receive RFK Human Rights award

Former President Obama has been named a Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope laureate.

The award honors global leaders for “their exceptional work toward a more just and peaceful world.”

Along with Obama, Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav, Humana CEO Bruce Broussard and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) will also receive the Ripple of Hope award, according to a release.

We are honored to present @BarackObama with our 2018 Ripple of Hope Award. #RFK50 pic.twitter.com/7MEAZ5vwOs

— RFK Human Rights (@RFKHumanRights) August 6, 2018

“Bobby Kennedy was one of my heroes,” Obama said in the release. “I first got into public service because I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, believing that my own salvation was bound up with the salvation of others.”

{mosads}“That’s something he expressed far better than I ever could when he talked about the power that comes from acting on our ideals, those ripples of hope that can ‘sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance,’” he added. “That’s what I’m determined to help inspire and cultivate over the rest of my career.”

Obama also responded in a tweet, saying that Kennedy “showed us the power of acting on our ideals, the idea that any of us can be one of the ‘million different centers of energy and daring’ that ultimately combine to change the world for the better.”

Bobby Kennedy was one of my heroes. He was someone who showed us the power of acting on our ideals, the idea that any of us can be one of the “million different centers of energy and daring” that ultimately combine to change the world for the better. https://t.co/nAiPiGercs

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 6, 2018

The organization’s founder and Kennedy’s widow, Ethel Kennedy, will present the awards at the Ripple of Hope Gala in December. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s White House run, as well as the founding of the organization.

Past Ripple of Hope recipients include former President Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Bono, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), former Vice President Joe Biden and actor Robert De Niro.