Next we have Mr. Thomas J. Brokaw. Thomas walks out wearing his medal, and the family applauds.

Next we'd like to introduce Ms. Isabel Allende. Isabel walks out wearing her medal, and the family applauds.

Next I'd like to introduce Ms. Meryl Streep. Meryl walks out wearing her medal, and the family applauds.

Next we have Ms. Wendy Mink, receiving on behalf of her mother Patsy Takemoto Mink. Wendy walks out with her posthumous medal, and the family applauds.

Next we'd like to introduce Mr. Robert M. Solow. Robert walks out wearing his medal, and the family applauds.

Exciting news, the new Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration is now open! Family members and other friends of Marlo's join her as she cuts the ribbon. As soon as she said, "The new Marlo Thomas Center will open in five! Four! Three! Two! One!", 17-year-old Haley Dunphy helps her cut the ribbon to open the center. Let's take a look.

Next I'd like to introduce Mr. Charlie Sifford, escorted by my daughter, Claire Melinda Dunphy. Claire helps Charlie walk out, who is wearing his medal, and the family applauds.

Could we please just cut the ribbon and do the damn countdown! You heard what Jay said. The new Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration will be open in five...

And now some more breaking news, St. Jude's National Outreach Director Marlo Thomas helps Donna Tubbs remove a broken Toussaint from their bathroom. Thomas eventually took Roberta out to dinner afterwards to thank her for saving the Christmas every day wish Rallo made with her.

We were out walking, and . . .

Meg, go take care of the Pennies for Patients box. When's this campaign over Lois? Are we all going to Memphis just for Louise to see Marlo Thomas because she misses her?

Haley hugs a crying Marlo as everyone else clinks their glasses for her celebration. Gloria snaps a picture from her cell phone. Happy birthday.

First we'd like to introduce Mr. Robert Battle, receiving on behalf of Alvin Ailey. Robert walks out with his posthumous medal for Ailey, and the family applauds.

Four stage hands over here to take this goddamn necklace. Four women including Marlo Thomas come in to remove the necklace.

Thomas and the Lighthouse

Here's Disney correspondent Tricia Takanawa interviewing Thomas on the scene. Tricia? Diane, I'm here with Free to Be You and Me author Marlo Thomas, who's about to go in Monsters Inc Laugh Floor with two thousand local students.