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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release April 29, 1998

                           President Clinton 
               Awards Citizens Medal to Albert Abramson
                              April 29, 1998

Today, in a Roosevelt Room Ceremony, President Clinton presented the Citizens Medal to Mr. Albert Abramson of Washington, DC. The Citizens Medal, established by Executive Order in 1969, is presented in recognition of United States citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. This is the second highest civilian honor which the President can bestow upon a U.S. citizen. The presentation of the Medal may take place at any time of the year. Today's medal recipient, Albert Abramson, was the key force behind construction of the Holocaust Museum.

The son of Eastern European immigrants, Albert Abramson was born in 1917, in New York City. His family moved to Washington four years later. At the age of 25, he was discharged from the Army Air Corps and returned to Washington. Almost by chance, he fell into the home building business. Over the years, he has become one of the most successful real estate developers in the area.

Late in his business career, Mr. Abramson trained his vision on construction of the Holocaust Museum. Named Chair of the Building Committee, he dropped many personal business projects to focus on the Museum. Mr. Abramson mobilized the political and financial resources and architectural and building talents that were key to the realization of the Museum. It was Mr. Abramson's dedication and determination that got the Museum built.

The White House will release a photo from this presentation.