[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 46 (Monday, November 24, 2008)]
[Pages 1428-1429]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Citizens Medals

November 17, 2008

    President Bush. Congratulations to our recipients. Welcome, the 
families and friends here at the White House.
    The Presidential Citizens Medal was created nearly four decades ago 
to recognize Americans who have performed exemplary service to our 
Nation. It is among one of the highest honors that can be conferred on a 
citizen. As President, I rarely have the opportunity to surprise 
anybody. [Laughter] It is tough to be stealthy with a security detail 
that comprises a 20-car motorcade. [Laughter] That makes me especially 
pleased to present the President's Citizens Medal to four outstanding 
and unsuspecting leaders in the arts: Bruce Cole, Dana Gioia, Adair 
Margo, and Bob Martin. [Applause] No, no; not yet. Please do not rush 
the stage. [Laughter] Remember the big security detail? [Laughter]
    As leaders of our Government's cultural institutions, each of 
today's recipients have made lasting contributions to American life and 
civic culture, and each is greatly deserving of this honor.
    As Chairman of the National Endowment of Humanities, Bruce Cole has 
encouraged the study of American history through the ``We The People'' 
program and has helped preserve America's rich heritage for future 
generations.
    As Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts, Dana Gioia has 
combined his passion as a poet and his skill as a businessman to enrich 
the lives of Americans, from young readers to soldiers returning from 
war.
    As the Chairman of the President's Committee on the Arts and 
Humanities--and a fellow Texan--[laughter]--Adair Margo has rallied 
support for American cultural institutions and has used the arts to 
strengthen our relationships with nations from Mexico to China.
    As former Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, 
Bob Martin has helped preserve our treasured collections and bring 
libraries and museums into the 21st century with new technology. He's 
helped recruit and train a new generation of librarians to replace the 
many skilled library professionals who are preparing to retire. I know 
of such person preparing to retire. [Laughter]
    Bob Martin's successor, Anne Radice, could not be here. This is a 
stealthy ceremony. [Laughter] She's doing something else. But 
nevertheless, in appreciation of her

[[Page 1429]]

service, she will be presented the Citizens Medal as well and is 
probably wondering why she was not notified. [Laughter]
    Each of today's honorees understands that encouraging individual 
creativity and freedom of expression through the arts and scholarship 
strengthens and enhances our great country. And so I want to thank them 
for their service. I congratulate them. And now I ask the military aide 
to read the medal citations.

[At this point, Lt. Cmdr. Clay Beers, USN, Navy Aide to the President, 
read the citations, and the President presented the medals.]

    President Bush. Once again, Laura and I thank you for coming. I hope 
you have found this eve--this day as joyous as we have. Congratulations. 
God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 1:35 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also 
included the remarks of the First Lady and the presentation ceremony of 
the National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals.