    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [April 27, 1996]
    [Pages 650-651]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the 25th Anniversary Reception for the John F. Kennedy Center
    for the Performing Arts
    April 27, 1996

        That's the most attractive introduction I've ever had. [Laughter]
        Ladies and gentlemen, welcome, welcome to the White House and
    welcome here for this occasion. We're delighted to join in the 25th
    anniversary celebration. And I want to say a special word of welcome to
    the members of the Kennedy family and to thank them for remaining
    tireless in their efforts to preserve, promote, and honor our Nation's
    culture.
        The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts prospers today as our
    national cultural institu-

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    tion, thanks to so many people who are committed to that ideal, the
    ideal that art and culture are not so much a pastime as a definer, a
    clarifier, a representation of America.
        Recently, the First Lady and I returned from a trip to the Far East
    and to Russia, and, as in other visits, we saw how prized an export our
    culture is. It's not just coincidence that it is embraced and adapted by
    a world increasingly sharing our democratic ideals. Visit almost any
    part of the world and there can be no doubt, our art, our music, our
    dance and theater are among our greatest ambassadors.
        Here in America, the Kennedy Center is the Nation's stage. It's hard
    to believe that just a quarter century ago it was only a goal. President
    and Mrs. Kennedy realized the significance of a national cultural
    center. They even held a telethon to raise funds for the center. Of
    course, President Kennedy could not have known that he would be the
    center's greatest inspiration and its namesake. But there could not be a
    more fitting living memorial, for at the Kennedy Center each night we
    enjoy great performances. Each year we honor great performing artists.
    Every day we work to commission and create new works and to reach and
    educate a new generation.
        The Kennedy Center makes our culture accessible as it never was
    before. Last year more than 2 million people attended performances at
    the center. Another 20 million saw its touring and broadcast
    productions. And many of these people who could not otherwise afford the
    price of admission took advantage of free and low-cost performances.
        The Kennedy Center is truly a place for all Americans. It is promise
    and proof of our shared values. It offers a forum to an amazing variety
    of God-given talents. The best of art endures, enriches, and enlivens
    the human condition far beyond the horizon of any of our tomorrows. Our
    art is the best record of who we are, what we have been, and what we
    hope to become.
        President Kennedy said it best in words inscribed in the marble
    walls of his memorial: ``There is a connection, hard to explain
    logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life and
    progress in the arts. The age of Pericles was also the age of Phidias.
    The age of Lorenzo de Medici was also the age of Leonardo da Vinci. The
    age of Elizabeth was also the age of Shakespeare.''
        Tonight we pause and pay tribute to the deeper sources of our
    strength, the expressions of the human spirit that light up not only our
    stages but our national life. We celebrate 25 years of the John F.
    Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and we look forward in joyful
    expectation to new generations of performances. The best of the Kennedy
    Center is yet to come.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:15 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House.