OTTAWA, Sept. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Earlier today, at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, invested Mr. Ronald J. Daniels as a Member of the Order of Canada. His Excellency also presented the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) to Major Jessica Harmon and Colonel Jeffery Stewart, members of the United States Army.
Additional information on the Order of Canada and the Meritorious Services Decorations as well as the recipients' citations are below.
ORDER OF CANADA
Ronald J. Daniels, C.M.
Baltimore, Maryland, USA and Toronto, Ontario
Ron Daniels is a leader in North America's university sector. During his tenure as the dean of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law, he transformed the school into one of the pre-eminent institutions of its kind. He started Pro Bono Students Canada to provide free legal assistance to local, community-based organizations, and made major contributions to public policy as chair of the Ontario Task Force on Securities Regulation and as an advisor to the Ontario Government. His commitment to academic excellence continues in his role as president of Johns Hopkins University.
About the Order of Canada
Created in 1967, on the occasion of Canada's centennial year, the Order of Canada, one of our country's highest civilian honours, recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Close to 7 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and have taken to heart the motto of the Order: DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM ("They desire a better country"). Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS
Major Jessica Harmon, M.S.M. (United States Army)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
Between December 2015 and January 2016, Major Harmon, then Captain, demonstrated great leadership and initiative as the re-integration specialist of a Canadian citizen held hostage in Afghanistan. She designed and implemented a psychological support package, which laid the groundwork for the recovery of this Canadian and of future hostages. Major Harmon's professionalism and dedication greatly contributed to enhancing relations between Canada and the United States.
Colonel Jeffery Stewart, M.S.M. (United States Army)
Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.A.
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
From 2013 to 2015, Colonel Stewart consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership and outstanding professionalism as deputy chief of staff operations at the Canadian Joint Operations Command in Ottawa, Ontario. Moreover, his work ethic, planning and organizational skills enabled him to make a direct and meaningful contribution to Canadian Armed Forces' domestic and expeditionary operational success. Colonel Stewart's dedication and commitment has brought great honour and recognition to Canada.
About the Meritorious Service Decorations
The Meritorious Service Decorations include a military division and a civil division, with two levels each: a medal and a cross. The military division recognizes individuals for their outstanding professionalism and for bringing honour to the Canadian Armed Forces and to Canada. The civil division recognizes individuals who have performed an exceptional deed or an activity that brought honour to the community or to Canada.
The Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division) recognizes a military deed or activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, according to a rare high standard that brings considerable benefit or great honour to the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) recognizes a military deed or activity performed in a highly professional manner, according to a very high standard that brings benefit or honour to the Canadian Armed Forces.
These decorations are an important part of the Canadian Honours System, which recognizes excellence. Meritorious Service Decorations honour either a single achievement or an activity over a specified period. The Meritorious Service Decorations are open to both Canadians and non-Canadians.
Anyone may nominate an individual for the civil division of the Meritorious Service Decorations, while military candidates are recommended by the chief of the Defence Staff. Nominations and awards may be made posthumously, but nominations for activities that occurred prior to June 1984, the year in which the honour was first created, are not accepted.
For more information on the Order of Canada and the Meritorious Service Decorations, please visit www.gg.ca/honours.
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SOURCE Governor General of Canada
Media information: Melanie Primeau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-993-2569, 613-618-2691 (cell), [email protected]; Department of National Defence, Media Relations Office, 1-866-377-0811, 613-996-2353
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