WASHINGTON (AP).- President Barack Obama recognized one former president and 14 artists, athletes, civil rights activists, humanitarians and others Tuesday with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for contributions to society that he said speak to “who we are as a people.” This year’s recipients “reveal the best of who we are and who we aspire to be,” Obama said at a White House ceremony. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It is given in recognition of contributions to U.S. national security, world peace, culture or other significant public or private endeavors. Tuesday’s medals were the second set Obama has awarded. Some of the loudest applause was reserved for Bush, the former