On August 18, 2005, President Yushchenko decree № 1177/2005 decided to support the proposal of the Commission on State Awards and Heraldry to establish the Order of Freedom to celebrate the special merits of citizens in establishing Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and developing democracy; the establishment of the medal "For Saved Lives" was also supported. The Commission on State Awards and Heraldry was instructed to hold an all-Ukrainian competition to develop designs for the Order of Freedom and the Medal for Saved Life within three months and to submit a bill amending the Law of Ukraine "On State Awards of Ukraine" based on its results.