Good evening. Did you know that president John F Kennedy was the most photographed leader of his day. This may not surprise you since he used photography strategically to share his values of america. It was also the golden age of photography in america and thats why this subjec is of interest to us at the Smithsonian International art museum. We focus on telling the stories of the American Experience, from folk art to photography as well as painting and sculptor and crafts and media arts. Our exhibition, american visionary John F Kennedys life and times which you can view on the second floor in the graphic arts gallery is a premier event, among many organized by the kennedy president ial library. Im the mary and director of the smithsonian apaircon art museum and sam is what we call ourselves for short. Youre in for a special treat this evening as weve assembled a distinguished group of historians and scholars debating the Kennedy Administration and its legacy. Many of you likely remem