Ladies and gentlemen, the recipients of the National Humanities medal, the claremont institu institute, lazano long. Patrick j oconnell, james patterso patterson. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States and mrs. Trump. Thank you very much, please. The first lady and i would just like to welcome everyone to the white house, a special place, very, very special. No matter where you go in the world, this is one of those places that you never forget. This afternoon it is my immense privilege to present our nations highest honors for contributions to american art and culture, the National Medal of arts and the National Humanities medal. Please join me in congratulating each of todays recipients on their really, and i mean truly phenomenal achievement to the incredible achievement and congratulations to all. [applaus [applause] with us today are vicepresident mike pence. Mike thank you very much. Secretary steven mnuchin, secretary betsy devos. Thank you very much, betsy. Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and a great warrior and a man who has done some incredible things two weeks ago, albadhdadi, he did a very great job, albadhdadi, the terrorist leader, the head of isis is dead. Thank you very much, mark millie, please stand up, mark. [applaus [applause]. Thank you. Also with us a friend of ours and a great congressman and a warrior in his own right, congressman phil rowe. Phil, thank you, wherever you may be, thank you, phil very much. Along with the chairman of the National Endowment for the arts, Mary Anne Carter and the chairman of the National Endowments of the humanities, john pede, thank you very much, thank you. [applause] e. Guest great nations produce great thinkers, musicians and scholars who make it a more beautiful and enlightened place. Each of todays recipients made outstanding contributions to american society, culture and life. They exemplify the genius, talent and creativity of our exceptional nation. [applause] i want to hear that whole song. I dont know, jon, maybe weve got to get it moving a little bit. What a great movie. Youve made some of the greatest movies of all time. Thank you very much. Actor and friend, jon voight is one of americas greatest Living Legends in cinema. He has captivated audiences for more than half a century, starring in dozens of hollywood blockbusters, including midnight cowboy. Coming home, mission impossible, and national treasure, and another one i think its frankly the greatest boxing movie of all time, the champ and that was some great movie. Everyone was crying at that movie. I tried not to, jon, but it wasnt easy. It wasnt easy, the champ and that was with ricky schroeder, a really great job. Thats incredible. John is an actor of astonishing range and depth. As the memorable ed gentry he played a leading role in deliverance, another good one. He was an Investigative Reporter in tracking down war criminals in the odessa file and inhabited the role of Franklin Delano roosevelt in pearl harbor, he was great and masterfully played Howard Cosell in ali, not easy, i knew howard well. Jon dominates almost every scene hes in. Hes a special person. He won the Academy Award for best actor, earned four Oscar Nominations and four golden globes, jon voight, you are an amazing artist and a beloved icon of the american film. Congratulations, receiving the National Medal of arts is a tremendous, tremendous achievement and you deserve it. Were really we love having you here, especially since its somebody i happen to really like. [laughter] okay, thank you very much, jon, congratulations. [applaus [applause] Sharon Rockefeller has been a strong advocate for the arts and public broadcasting. The first lady of West Virginia, sharon fought on behalf of the States School children and served on the board of the West Virginia educational broadcasting authority. She is currently chairman of the board of trustees for the National Gallery of art and has helped the institution acquire breath taking works of beauty, some of the best anywhere in the world. Sharon has also served as president of the Washington Educational Telecommunications Association for 30 years. She helped establish weta as one of the reime preeminent stations, and Washington Week among other programs and now maybe ill start getting good publicity on those, sharon. Could you please start working on that, sharon . [laughter] they tend to be on the other side of things a little bit. I think now i have a better chance. Sharon, as you receive the National Medal of arts, we thank you for enriching the lives of millions. Great job youve done, sharon. [applaus [applause] incredible job. Another friend of mine, author james patterson, is one of the most prolific fictional writers of all time. James has authored or coauthored 277 books and more than 400 million copies worldwide and i always tell james, i dont talk about the books ive done when in his presence because hes outdone me by a lot. A lot more than me. I guess more than anyone except one, the bible has you by a little bit, right . But james, most prolific and highly, highly talented. 218 titles earned a spot on the New York Times best seller list and 95 have been ranked number one. From alex cross to invisible, james has entertained adults and children alike with gripping action, stirring adventure and thrilling mystery. Hes also given millions of dollars and countless books to charity. James, i want to just congratulate you. I know him so well and hes a special, special man, with a very, very special family. So, congratulations on receiving the National Humanitarian medal. I just want to congratulate you. [applause] fantastic. Fantastic job. Fantastic job. Thanks, james. Alison krauss. I like the music better. Go ahead. Oh, sisters, lets go down in the river to pray as i went down in the river to pray, studying about that good ole way and who shall wear the robe and crown good lord, show me the way oh, brothers lets go down, lets go down, come on down come on, brothers, lets go down, down in the river to pray as i went down in the river to pray studying about that good old way and who shall wear the crown, good lord show me the way oh, father, lets go down, lets go down, come on down oh, father lets go down, down in the river to pray Alison Krauss is one of the most acclaimed musicians in america. She picked up a fiddle for the first time at the age of five, signed her first record at 14 and earned her first grammy at 19. During a career spanning over three decades, allison has never been confined to one musical genre or style. Shes received more than 25 top awards for gospel, country, and blue grass. She has sold over 12 million records worldwide, won more grammies than any woman in history. Wow, thats pretty good. Thats a big thats a big statement. Look how shy she is. And today, we proudly present her the National Medal of arts and allison, i want to thank you very much for sharing your wonderful gift with the world. Thank you very much. Fantastic. [applaus [applause] chef and restauranteur, patrick oconnell, is a preeminent culinary artist and trail blazing industry pioneer. Patrick showcases the brilliance of american technique, the depth of american ingredients and the limitless potential of american high cuisine at its absolute finest. In 1979 patrick opened the inn at Little Washington in the small rural town of washington, virginia. Patrick transformed the former gas station into one of the most renowned fine dining establishments on earth. For the past two years the inn at Little Washington has been one of the just handful of restaurants in america to receive three michelin stars. Every day patrick and his team pursue absolute perfection. They are true artists who fill us with pride in our national cuisine. Patrick, as we award you the National Humanities medal, a very special, very powerful award, we thank you and your entire team for the enduring contribution to American Culture and i think the first lady and i will have to stop by very soon because it sounds good to me and ive heard incredible things. Thank you very much. Thank you patrick very much. Thank you very much. [applaus [applause]. Thank you, patrick. Id like to acknowledge the extremely talented white house chefs here this afternoon, including tommy, where is tommy . You have to be around here. Tommy, thank you, tommy. What a job you do. You do too good a job as far as im concerned. Who once worked under patrick at the inn and is one of americas leading think tanks, the Claremont Institute has made invaluable contributions to the history of american conservative thought. Claremont educates, reminds and informs americans about the founding principles that have made our country the greatest nation anywhere on earth, through publications, seminars and scholarships, they fight to recover the american idea. I know it well by teaching about the declaration of independence, the constitution. The writings of Abraham Lincoln whose bedroom is above it, its great to see that, general, isnt it . The general went up and saw it recently and its special. The Claremont Institute helps to preserve our National Traditions for generations to come. Accepting the humanities medal on behalf of the organization is Claremont Institute president ryan williams. Thank you, ryan, for being here. Great job. [applaus [applause]. Theresa lozano long is a flap thrflap philanthropist, with her husband joe given 130 million to organizations in texas. They created the institute of latin american studies at the university of texas in austin, which helps maintain one of the best archives on latin American History anywhere in the world. Theresa was also the first hispanic american to steve a doctorate in health in university of texas in austin and served as a National Member of council on the arts. Theresa, were so honored to have you and its a great privilege to present you the National Humanities medal. Thank you very much, theresa. [applaus [applause]. Thank you very much. So next i have the honor to recognize not just one, but 6,656 tremendous artists and patriots, the musicians of the United States military. That is really something, the job you do. Thank you very much. Forming 136 bands worldwide, these aweinspiring men and women in uniform perform over 35,000 times each year from concert halls to war zones. They touch the hearts of Service Members of the front lines, wounded veterans in hospitals, goldstar families at military funerals, and americans everywhere. Theyre not just magnificent performers and they really are the finest anywhere in the world, theyre also courageous warriors. Were joined this afternoon by the premier band commanders and accepting the National Medal of arts on behalf of all military musicians is now 21yearold, then 19yearold when he joined, Staff Sergeant jan newtson, the youngest brand musician in the United States military and thank you very much, Staff Sergeant. We appreciate it that youre here and i will say that i have had the privilege of listening to, along with the first lady and many of the people in the room, vicepresident , some of the greatest music ive ever listened to. These are incredibly talented musicians. Many of them could be in the great concert halls of the world, but this is what they want and this is where they want to be and they wouldnt trade it for anything. I think we can say that with assurety. The recipients of todays awards have uplifted the mind, spirit and soul of this country. You have made the life of our nation more rewarding, entertaining and fulfilling. You have brought joy, comfort and meaning to the homes and hearts of countless americans. I want to congratulate you all and i want to congratulate your loved ones. Were immensely grateful for everything that youve done for our country, and i would like now to ask the military aide to come forward and to please read the citations. Thank you. Alison krauss for making extraordinary contributions to american music, blending blue grass, folk, country, gospel and she has entertained and enriched the souls of millions. [applaus [applause] sharon percy rockefeller. For being a renowned champion of the arts, a generous supporter of charity and a pioneer of new ideas and approaches in the field of public policy. [applaus [applause] musicians of the United States military for personifying excellence and service to country. From concert halls to war zones these patriots have inspired and uplifted their fellow americans over generations with their incredible courage and breath taking musical talent. [applaus [applause] jon voight, for his exceptional capacity as an actor to portray deeply complex characters, captivating audiences he has given us insights into the richness of the human mind and heart. [applaus [applause] the Claremont Institute, for championing the nations founding principles and enriching american minds. Its publications and Public Events have deepened our understanding and appreciation of american freedom, democracy, justice and rule of law. [applaus [applause] theresa l oechlt lozano long. For supporting the arts and improving Educational Opportunities through scholarship and philanthropy, she has helped americas children and young adults learn the skills that they need to succeed. Succeed. [applaus [applause] Patrick J Oconnell for being one of the greatest chefs of our time through the inn at Little Washington, he has raised the culinary arts to new heights of extense by embracing regional flavors and celebrating local farmers. [applaus [applause] james patterson, for being one of the most successful american authors of our time. His prodigious imagination has fascinating works enjoyed by military. His championship of literacy has inspired many to realize their potential. [applaus [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats until the president , mrs. Trump, and the medalists have departed the east room. The impeachment inquiry hearings continue next week when House Committee chairman Gerald Nadler holds had the hearing focusing on the history of impeachment. Watch 10 a. M. Eastern on cspan 3. Chairman nadler extended an invitation for the president and his counsel to appear before the committee. Read the letter, and follow live on cspan 3, online at cspan. Org or listen live on the free cspan radio app. Watch an extended weekend of book tv this Holiday Weekend. Here are some of our features. Starting a thursday at 1 30 p. M. Eastern, nikki haley recounts her time as ambassador to the u. N. In the trump administration. I would always make a point to ask when wed go to an area to sit in a room with a group of women, no offense to the fellas in the audience, but the women had a way of, you could sit down with them, they could tell you what the problem was, how they got to that point and how to fix it. On friday at 3 20 p. M. Eastern, Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist Ronan Farrell talked about the efforts made to stifle his reporting. This was not a journalistic, we were told to cancel interviews with rape victims, i was told i was going to be exposed of being terminated if i had disclosed that nbc had anything to do with the story. In his new book, sam houston and the alamo avengers, fox news Brian Kilmeade offers a look at the war. Sam houston felt he was impervious, he got shot three times and should have died. He learned it was calculated. And going to washington, i have a waze app, just about able to see everything. He learned that this country is fragile and courage has to be calculated. And manhattan senior fellow and wall street columnist jason riley. The number of black officials in this country fewer than 1500 in 1970 to more than 10,000 today. I think dr. King of course twice elected black president , thats the Voting Rights act. At 9 eastern on after words, university of virginia professor explores the history of tobacco in america, in her book the cigarette, shes interviewed by former fda commissioner david kessler. Smoking at the turn of the 20th century, early 1900s was considered something almost unamerican. It was a vice of the foreign born. So the antismoking movement of the first two decades of the 20th century kind of rode that, a wave of nativism in thinking about, you know, what type of behavior is appropriate for nativeborn healthy americans. Watch an extended version of book tv this Holiday Weekend and every weekend on cspan2. Since october demonstrators in iraq have been protesting against many issues, including political corruption, the Hudson Institute in washington d. C. Hosted a conversation on the iraqi protests with middle east policy experts and they also discussed irans intervention in