NASA has released the following statement by Administrator Charles Bolden about President Obama’s announcement that astronaut John Glenn has been selected as a recipient of the 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom:

“NASA sends its warmest congratulations to Sen. John Glenn on being named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Both of John’s historic missions to space personified America’s dreams and what we believed we could be. Just as President Obama has set us on a course to explore farther destinations in the solar system, John Glenn helped this nation forge a path to a brighter future with greater capabilities. We will build on his achievements to remain the world’s space leader for generations to come.”