It's the second-highest honor for a civilian -- second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And there are now 23 new recipients of Presidential Citizen Medals.

Among those honored today by President George W. Bush was Charles Colson -- who did prison time for his role in the Watergate scandal, but then founded a group called Prison Fellowship. The group conducts outreach to prisoners, crime victims and others.

The White House says Colson "helped courageous men and women from around the world make successful transitions back into society."

Another recipient was actor Gary Sinise, who played the double-amputee veteran known as Lieutenant Dan in "Forrest Gump." He's been helping the USO by sending school supplies to Iraqi children. The White House describes him as a humanitarian and a patriot.