“Ellen DeGeneres has showed us that a single individual can make the world a more fun, more open more loving place, so long as we just keep swimming,” said a White House Aide before Ellen received the Medal of Freedom.

Today, comedian, actor, author, and daytime talk show impresario Ellen DeGeneres received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.

Watch as she receives the award as well as her hearing President Obama’s remark on the honor.