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Medal of Freedom awarded
==Post-election statements==
==Post-election statements==
Howard kept quiet after the election loss, until he appeared on 5 March 2008 (reported 6 March in Australia<ref>[Howard breaks silence in US http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23329635-12377,00.html], [[The Australian]], 6 March 2008</ref>) to receive the [[Irving Kristol]] Award from the right-wing [[American Enterprise Institute]] at a large black-tie dinner at the [[Hilton]] Hotel in [[Washington DC]]. Howard's two criticisms of the Rudd government were, "I am disappointed that Australia's battle group will be withdrawing from Southern Iraq in June as one of the new Labor government's election commitments... ", and, in criticising the Rudd roll back his Government's industrial relations reforms, said, "... bringing back the old unfair dismissal laws will stifle employment growth amongst small businesses." The black tie event was attended by many US heavyweights, including former [[UN]] ambassador [[John Bolton]], former [[World Bank]] president [[Paul Wolfowitz]], and [[Lynne Cheney]], the wife of Vice-President [[Dick Cheney]] who withdrew at late notice.
Howard kept quiet after the election loss, until he appeared on 5 March 2008 (reported 6 March in Australia<ref>[Howard breaks silence in US http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23329635-12377,00.html], [[The Australian]], 6 March 2008</ref>) to receive the [[Irving Kristol]] Award from the conservative [[American Enterprise Institute]] at a large black-tie dinner at the [[Hilton]] Hotel in [[Washington DC]]. Howard's two criticisms of the Rudd government were, "I am disappointed that Australia's battle group will be withdrawing from Southern Iraq in June as one of the new Labor government's election commitments... ", and, in criticising the Rudd roll back his Government's industrial relations reforms, said, "... bringing back the old unfair dismissal laws will stifle employment growth amongst small businesses." The black tie event was attended by many US heavyweights, including former [[UN]] ambassador [[John Bolton]], former [[World Bank]] president [[Paul Wolfowitz]], and [[Lynne Cheney]], the wife of Vice-President [[Dick Cheney]] who withdrew at late notice.
== Presidential Medal of Freedom ==
[[Image:JohnHoward MedalOfFreedom.jpg|right|thumb|250px|President George Bush awarding Medal of Freedom to former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard]]
On January 13, 2009, Howard received the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] in a [[White House]] ceremony from President [[George W. Bush]]. The medal is America's highest civil award. It is given in recognition of exemplary achievement, and to convey the utmost esteem of the people and the President of the [[United States of America]]. The citation read:
{{cquote|'''''During a career of public service spanning four decades, John Howard has been an unwavering champion of democracy and freedom. As Prime Minister of Australia, he helped deliver unparalleled prosperity to his country's people through staunch adherence to free market principles. Relations between our two countries were never closer than under his stewardship, and after the attacks of September 11, 2001, he worked steadfastly to combat the scourge of terrorism, bring freedom to millions of people, and promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The United States honors John Winston Howard for his lifelong efforts to spread hope and freedom throughout the world.'''''}}
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== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* National Museum of Australia, [http://www.nma.gov.au/education/school_resources/websites_and_interactives/primeministers/john_howard/ John Howard]
* National Museum of Australia, [http://www.nma.gov.au/education/school_resources/websites_and_interactives/primeministers/john_howard/ John Howard]