William Smith Medal

Transcription

Well, hello, everybody, and welcome to the White House.  Thank you for joining us to celebrate the recipients of the 2012 -- because I guess this is retrospective -- National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medals. One of the special privileges of this office is getting a chance to honor individuals who've played an important role in my life as well as in the nation's life.  And that's what today is all about -- celebrating some extraordinary men and women who've used their talents in the arts and the humanities to open up minds and nourish souls, and help us understand what it means to be human, and what it means to be an American. Frankly, this is just fun for me because I feel like I know you all because I've enjoyed your performances; your writings have fundamentally changed me -- I think for the better, Marilynne.  I believe that. The arts and the humanities aren't just a source of entertainment, they challenge us to think and to question and to discover, to seek that inward significance -- and that helps us grow and to change and to reach new heights, and to understand each other at a time when the world is constantly crying for the capacity to bridge that gap and speak to people who aren't like us. And that's exactly what these artists and these humanists have done -- by working hard, developing their craft, following their dreams, never giving up. Somebody like Joan Didion, who, rightly, has earned distinction as one of the most celebrated American writers of her generation.  I'm surprised she hadn't already gotten this award. (Laughter.)  But in her early years, she was in school only sporadically, basically taught herself how to read while she and her family followed her Army officer father around the country.  She obviously learned quickly.  She won a contest for Vogue in college; gave up the dream of being an oceanographer, writing became her world.  And today, decades into her career, she remains one of our sharpest and most respected observers of American politics and culture. We celebrate people like our honorees here today not just because of their talent, but because they create something new.  They create a new space and that becomes a lasting contribution to American life.  And that's true for all of these honorees. So together, the men and women with us today have helped us appreciate individual talent, but as I said earlier, they've also helped us to bridge our differences -- to recognize all the things we share as Americans, whether it's arts or humanities or sports. Frank, I grew up reading Sports Illustrated, and I think it was very good for me.  I don't know about you.  (Laughter.)  Because all these endeavors, they don't discriminate, they don't prejudge -- they speak to all of us equally if we're open to it. They're part of all of our common heritage.  They convey all these distinct voices and emotions and stories, and that's us.  That's who we are.  So for more than 200 years that culture has helped shape our views of democracy and freedom and tolerance and progress. Sometimes the observations or the incredible art or scholarship that's been done by these honorees are overlooked, but somewhere they're having an impact.  And like Bobby Kennedy talked about, they create "ripples of hope."  They're like stones in a lake, and it emanates, and we never know exactly how, or who, will be touched by it.  But it makes a difference.  And it's made us better. And the work that we honor today, the lifetime achievement of these artists and these scholars, reminds us that the human imagination is still the most powerful tool that we have as a people.  That's why we celebrate their creativity and the fundamental optimism, the notion that if they work that hard somebody will actually pay attention.  That's why we have to remain committed to the dreamers and the creators and innovators who fuel that progress and help us light the way ahead, because our children, our grandchildren deserve to grow up in a country where their dreams know no bounds and their ambitions extend as far as their talents and hard work can take them.  And it's important that they have examples -- people who've carved out a path for them.  So I want to thank today's honorees for doing their part to foster that spirit, to enrich our entire nation.  Every one of them has helped us see beyond outward appearances and appreciate the significance of what's within.  And for that we are incredibly grateful.  So it is now my privilege to present these medals to each of them as one of our military aides reads their citations.  (Applause.) National Humanities Medal recipients. Edward L. Ayers.  (Applause.)  For his commitment to making our history as widely available and accessible as possible.  Dr. Ayers's innovations in digital humanities extend higher learning beyond campus boundaries and allow broad audiences to discover the past in new ways.  (Applause.) Accepting on behalf of William G. Bowen, David Bowen.  (Applause.)  For his contributions to the study of economics and his probing research on higher education in America.  While his widely discussed publications have scrutinized the effects of policy, Dr. Bowen has used his leadership to put theories into practice and strive for new heights of academic excellence. Jill Ker Conway.  (Applause.)  For her contributions as a historian and trailblazing academic leader.  Dr. Conway has inspired generations of scholars, and her studies of exceptional and empowered women have revealed a common drive that unites women across the globe to create, to lead, and to excel.  (Applause.) Natalie Zemon Davis.  (Applause.)  For her insights into the study of history and her exacting eloquence in bringing the past into focus.  With vivid description and exhaustive research, her works allow us to experience life through our ancestors' eyes and to engage truly with our history.  (Applause.) Frank Deford. (Applause.)  For transforming how we think about sports.  A dedicated writer and storyteller, Mr. Deford has offered a consistent, compelling voice in print and on radio, reaching beyond scores and statistics to reveal the humanity woven into the games we love.  (Applause.)  Joan Didion.  (Applause.)  For her mastery of style in writing.  Exploring the culture around us and exposing the depths of sorrow, Ms. Didion has produced works of startling honesty and fierce intellect, rendered personal stories universal, and illuminated the seemingly peripheral details that are central to our lives.  (Applause.)  Robert D. Putnam.  (Applause.)  For deepening our understanding of community in America.  Examining how patterns of engagement divide and unite, Dr. Putnam's writing and research inspire us to improve institutions that make society worth living in, and his insights challenge us to be better citizens.  (Applause.)  Marilynne Robinson.  (Applause.)  For her grace and intelligence in writing.  With moral strength and lyrical clarity, Dr. Robinson's novels and nonfiction have traced our ethical connections to people in our lives, explored the world we inhabit, and defined universal truths about what it means to be human.  (Applause.)  Kay Ryan.  (Applause.)  For her contributions as a poet and educator.  A former Poet Laureate of the United States, her witty and compact verse infused with subtle wordplay, reminds us of the power of language to evoke wisdom from the ordinary.  (Applause.) Robert B. Silvers.  (Applause.)  For offering critical perspectives on writing.  As the editor and co-founder of The New York Review of Books, he has invigorated our literature with cultural and political commentary, and elevated the book review to a literary art form.  (Applause.) Anna Deavere Smith.  (Applause.)  For her portrayal of authentic American voices.  Through profound performances and plays that blend theater and journalism, she has informed our understanding of social issues and conveyed a range of disparate characters.  (Applause.) Camilo José Vergara.  (Applause.)  For his stark visual representation of American cities.  By capturing images of urban settings over time, his sequences reflect the vibrant culture of our changing communities and document the enduring spirit that shines through decay.  (Applause.) Let's give our honorees one more big round of applause.  (Applause.)