(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Biden awards National Medals of Arts and Humanities to Springsteen, Kaling, Louis-Dreyfus and more [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-03-22 President Biden and the First Lady hosted the 2021 Arts and Humanities Award Ceremony last night at the White House. Its was the first time President Joe Biden has held a ceremony for the awards since taking office. The National Medal of the Arts, the highest American award given to artists, art patrons and groups that have advanced arts in the United States, was awarded to 12 artists and groups, including actor and comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus and legendary performer Bruce Springsteen. The National Humanities Medal, which “honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities and broadened our citizens’ engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects,” was awarded to 11 recipients. National Medal of Arts winners Judith Francisca Baca, artist, activist, and professor of Chicano studies Fred Eychaner, philanthropist Jose Feliciano, musician, singer and composer; wrote and performed “Feliz Navidad” Mindy Kaling, actress, comedian, screenwriter and producer Gladys Knight, the "Empress of Soul", singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman. A seven-time Grammy Award-winner. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, actress, comedian, and producer, the most award-winning actresses in American television history. Antonio Martorell-Cardona, painter Joan Shigekawa, producer and arts administrator Bruce Springsteen, legendary song writer and performer, “The Boss.” Vera Wang, designer The Billie Holiday Theatre The International Association of Blacks in Dance National Humanities Medal winners Richard Blanco, writer Johnnetta Betsch Cole, anthropologist, first female African American president of Spelman College Walter Isaacson, writer Earl Lewis, historian Henrietta Mann, Native American academic Ann Patchett, writer Bryan Stevenson, lawyer and activist Amy Tan, writer, author of “The Joy Luck Club” Tara Westover, writer, author of Educated Colson Whitehead, writer, Pulitzers for The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys Native America Calling, radio show x .@NEHgov is thrilled to announce the 2021 National Humanities Medal recipients, which include writers, historians, educators, and activists. Learn about the 12 distinguished humanists to be honored, here: https://t.co/cd8d5NRxTA #ArtsHumanitiesMedal pic.twitter.com/yM8m8yWqbE — NEH (@NEHgov) March 21, 2023 Here are a few select quotes from the classy and delightful opening remarks by Biden. The full transcript of the event is available at www.whitehouse.gov/… Welcome to the White House — a sacred place for many reasons. It’s a residence for the First Family, but it’s really the People’s House — and it really is. A place to work, a national park, a museum, as well as an — art and artifacts capturing the soul of our nation for many years. He (Washington) knew the greatness of a nation was measured not only by the strength of its army and the vastness of its geography, the size of its economy, it was also measured in the vitality of its culture — and the culture forged in the freedom of expression to speak and to think freely. We’re a nation — a great nation in large part because of the power of the arts and humanities that’s stamped into the DNA of America. The work of our honorees is as diverse as the nation that celebrates with them today. But — but common threads weave them together in many ways in the very fabric of America: the pursuit of excellence, the drive to create, the yearning to connect, and the boldness to be truthtellers, bridge builders, and change seekers. Above all, you’re masters of your craft. And my friend, “President” Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Eleven Emmy’s. Twenty-six nominations. Honored numerous times by the Screen Actors Guild, Producers Guild, Critics’ Choice. She embraces life’s absurdity with absolute wit and handles real-life turns with absolute grace. A mom, a cancer survivor, a pioneer for women in comedy, she is an American original. Good to see you. Mindy Kaling. You know, from Massachusetts, but as we all know, Scranton, Pennsylvania, made her who she is. Or as we say in Scranton, “Scran-en,” Pennsylvania. The first woman of color to create, write, and star in a primetime sitcom, she empowers a new generation to tell their stories with their own irreverence and sincerity. The daughter of Indian immigrants — We know about that, right? Our Vice President is a daughter of Indian immigrants — a mother who was a great scientist. Gladys, as I said before, you’re truly one of the best things ever to happen, in terms of music. I’m a fan. Bruce Springsteen — a poet, troubadour, a chronicler of American life and resilience and hope and dreams. Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with 20 Grammys, an Oscar, a Tony, and an unyielding love from millions of fans across generations. The New Jersey kid is back on tour, approaching — catch this — 3,000 concerts around the world. Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. Bruce, some people are just “Born to Run,” man. Colson Whitehead, one of the first and only novelists to win the Pulitzer Prize for back-to-back works. How in the hell did you do that? That’s — where is he? Pretty good, man. I’m kind of looking for back-to-back myself. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/3/22/2159606/-Biden-awards-National-Medals-of-Arts-and-Humanities-to-Springsteen-Kaling-Louis-Dreyfus-and-more Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/