[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.