    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [October 7, 1993]
    [Page 1706]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a White House Dinner Honoring Arts and Humanities Award
    Recipients
    October 7, 1993

        Ladies and gentlemen, let me welcome you all to the White House and
    thank you for coming and for each of your contributions to the rich
    cultural life of our great Nation. I want to say a special word of
    appreciation again to the honorees from this afternoon. I had a
    wonderful time with all of you this afternoon. So many of you have
    forgiven my ad-lib jokes, I might ask you back again next week.
    [Laughter] I may have you tell my daughter I'm funny after all.
        I want you to know, that to all of you who have been honored and to
    all of the distinguished artists who are here as our guests tonight who
    didn't join us this afternoon, we are all very much in your debt. You
    have, each in your own way, enriched our lives and helped us to learn
    more and feel more deeply and to become more of the people God meant for
    us to be. We applaud your work. We honor your contributions, and I ask
    you now that all of us together raise our glasses in toast to the
    artists, the writers, the humanitarians who have made America the place
    it is today.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 8:30 p.m. in the State Dining
    Room at the White House.