    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 10, 2005]
    [Pages 1698-1699]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Dinner Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the National
    Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities
    November 10, 2005

        Good evening, and welcome. Laura and I are
    really happy you're here. We meet tonight to celebrate the 40th
    anniversary of both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National
    Endowment for the Humanities.
        We especially welcome NEA Chairman Dana Gioia
    and NEH Chairman Bruce Cole. And we'd like to
    recognize their outstanding contributions to our Nation's arts and
    humanities. Dana and Bruce are both distinguished scholars and authors,
    and under their visionary leadership, America's programs to support the
    arts and humanities have continued to enrich our Nation's cultural and
    civic life.
        I also want to recognize a former head of the NEH, Lynne
    Cheney, and her husband. [Laughter]
        It's also my honor to welcome Lynda Robb, whose dad had the wisdom to start both these
    programs. Welcome.

    [[Page 1699]]

        Over the last 40 years, the National Endowment for the Arts and the
    National Endowment for the Humanities have strengthened our democracy by
    supporting our Nation's ideals, institutions, and emerging talents. The
    NEA has provided support for music and dance, theater, and the arts
    across our great country. It has helped improve public access to
    education in the arts, offered workshops in writing, and brought
    artistic masterpieces to under-served communities.
        At the same time, the NEH has done important work to preserve
    America's cultural treasures. And it has helped introduce millions of
    Americans to award-winning books, documentaries, and museum exhibitions.
        These two institutions also help support the arts and humanities by
    encouraging great talent. This morning I awarded the National Medal of
    Arts and the National Humanities Medal to men and women who have made
    exemplary contributions to our Nation's art, culture, and scholarship.
    Each medal winner has helped define our era. Each has excelled and
    demonstrated originality, endurance, and self-discipline. And together,
    their creativity inspires our students and elevates our culture and
    enriches our nation. Congratulations to you all.
        President Franklin Roosevelt once said that free nations gain new
    responsibilities when other countries try to turn back the clock of
    civilization by burning libraries and exiling their artists and
    thinkers. Free nations, he said, have an obligation to keep the torch of
    free thought and free learning burning bright.
        America is a country where the light of freedom does burn bright,
    and by supporting our artists and scholars, we help inspire those who do
    not yet enjoy freedom. We defend creativity and expression because we
    value a free and open society. And our actions set an example for the
    entire world. And so, tonight I offer a toast to the brightest lights of
    American creativity, men and women who entertain us, inform us, and
    inspire us.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:44 p.m. on the State Floor at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of
    former President Lyndon B. Johnson.