Former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Indiana, is celebrating with family in Washington, D.C., where he will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Tuesday.
Hamilton is being honored at private reception Monday night, ahead of receiving the nation's top civilian honor.
The guest list is indicative of Hamilton's impact – several top policy advisers and former presidential cabinet members are expected to attend.
On top of spending more than three decades in Congress, Hamilton is known for his work on the 9/11 commission.
Attorney Jamie Gorelick worked with Hamilton on the commission.
"Lee is a very steady-as-you-go person and you need that quality when you are in a maelstrom like we were. He was with Tom Cain, very dedicated to doing this in a bipartisan way, to letting the facts lead to the policy and not the other way around," Gorelick says.
Gorelick adds he wasn't surprised to learn Hamilton is being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
He'll receive the award, along with 16 other Americans.