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POLITICS

McCain views Iowa flood damage

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa | Sen. John McCain toured flood-damaged southeastern Iowa on Thursday, walking past half-submerged buildings, washed-out roads and thousands of sandbags filled hurriedly in a vain attempt to hold back the waters.

"I know I speak for all of America. We'll do everything necessary to try to rebuild their lives," the Republican presidential candidate said of residents of a town of 1,900 at the confluence of the Cedar and Iowa Rivers.

The town experienced record flooding in recent days, and although the waters have begun to recede, National Guard trucks blocked access to washed-out roads and the municipal water system had not been returned to operation.

Mr. McCain peppered Mayor Dan Wilson with questions as they walked through town looking at the damage. Mr. Wilson said tens of thousands of sandbags had been filled to create makeshift levees that prevented worse flooding.

HONORS

Medal of Freedom recipients honored

President Bush on Thursday presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, to leaders in medicine, government, the judiciary and the military.

In a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Mr. Bush lauded and joked with five recipients and Annette Lantos, who accepted the award on behalf of her late husband, Rep. Tom Lantos, California Democrat. The recipients were: