    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [January 9, 1997]
    [Pages 23-24]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Arts and Humanities Awards Dinner
    January 9, 1997

        Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the White House.
    Hillary and I are delighted to have all of your here tonight. This
    afternoon we had the honor to award 16 men and women and the Harlem Boys
    Choir our country's highest recognition for achievement in the arts and
    humanities.

    [[Page 24]]

        Tonight we come together to salute the honorees again for their
    profound contributions to our cultural life. At a time when so many
    forces seem determined to divide us, not simply here but all around the
    world, the arts and humanities unite us as a people in all of our rich
    diversity. They give voice to our collective experience and deepen our
    understandings of ourselves and one another.
        At the dawn of a new century in a rapidly changing world, we need
    our artists, our writers, our thinkers more than ever to help us find
    that common thread that is woven through all of our lives, to help give
    our children the imagination they need to visualize the future they must
    make, and to reach across the lines that divide us. The people we have
    honored today have dedicated their lives to this purpose, and I join all
    Americans in thanking them for their life's work.
        I ask all of you now to please join me in a toast to our honorees
    and to the United States of America.
        Hear! Hear!

    [At this point, the President toasted the honorees.]

        Thank you very much.

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