President and Mrs. Bush Attend Presentation of the 2008 National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals
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 -- (laughter) -- 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.) Please do not rush the stage. (Laughter.) Remember the big security detail? (Laughter.)
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.)
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