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Kennedy Center Honors 12/6/92 [OA 8485]
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Kennedy Center Honors 12/6/92 [OA 8485]
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5
7
KENNEDY CENTER HONORS \ EAST ROOM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1992
GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE WHITE
HOUSE. BARBARA AND I ARE DELIGHTED TO BE A
PART OF THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENING -- A NIGHT
WE PAY TRIBUTE TO SIX PEOPLE WHOSE LIFE'S WORK
HAS ENRICHED AMERICA -- BOTH AS PEOPLE AND AS
PERFORMERS.
EACH YEAR, THE KENNEDY CENTER BRINGS THE
WORLD'S FINEST IN MUSIC, DANCE AND THEATER To
THE NATION'S CAPITAL.
- 2 -
BUT IT HAS LEFT ITS GREATEST MARK ON OUR
NATION IN WAYS THAT REACH FAR BEYOND THE STAGE
-- NURTURING YOUNG ARTISTS AND TEACHING YOUNG
PEOPLE HOW VERY VITAL THE PERFORMING ARTS ARE
TO THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE.
AND, NOW, THE HONOREES FOR 1992:
MORE THAN 60 YEARS HAVE PASSED AT THE NBC
RECORDING STUDIO WHERE A FAIRLY UNKNOWN 17-
YEAR-OLD DRUMMER FIRST LAID EYES ON A FAIRLY
UNKNOWN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.
- 3 -
THE INSTRUMENT WAS THE VIBRAPHONE, THE DRUMMER
WAS LIONEL HAMPTON, AND THE MUSIC --CHANGED
THE SOUND OF JAZZ FOREVER. HE PLAYED WITH
JAZZ GREATS LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND BENNY GOODMAN,
BUT BY THE 1940s LIONEL HAMPTON WAS A LEGEND
ALL HIS OWN. EVEN TODAY, HE AND HIS BAND
CONTINUE TO ENJOY UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS.
TONIGHT, AMERICA CELEBRATES THIS "MASTER OF
SWING." //
- 4 -
1958 WAS QUITE A YEAR FOR TWO OF OUR
HONOREES. JOANNE WOODWARD ACCEPTED THE OSCAR
FOR "THE THREE FACES OF EVE." PAUL NEWMAN
STARRED IN THE MGM HIT "CAT ON A HoT TIN
ROOF." TOGETHER, THE TWO STARRED IN "THE
LONG HoT SUMMER." AND IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH
EXCITEMENT FOR TWO PEOPLE, THEY WERE MARRIED.
- 5 -
BOTH TOGETHER AND SEPARATELY, NEWMAN AND
WOODWARD HAVE SHOWN US ACTING AT ITS VERY
BEST -- WITH MOVIES LIKE "A FINE MADNESS,"
"HUD," "BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID,"
"RACHEL, RACHEL," "MR. AND MRS. BRIDGE" --
MANY MORE. As SPONSORS OF SEVERAL CHARITIES
AND RELIEF EFFORTS, PAUL NEWMAN AND JOANNE
WOODWARD HAVE PROVEN NOT ONLY GENEROUS IN
TALENT, BUT GENEROUS IN SPIRIT -- AND FAR
OUTSHINE THE HONOR WE GIVE THEM TONIGHT. //
- 6 -
IT'S BEEN SAID THAT GINGER ROGERS DID
EVERYTHING FRED ASTAIRE DID -- BACKWARD AND
IN HIGH HEELS. THOUGH ANYONE WHO'S EVER SEEN
GINGER ROGERS DANCE WILL TELL YOU -- SHE
ALWAYS MADE IT LOOK EASY. TOGETHER, GINGER
ROGERS AND FRED ASTAIRE STARRED IN 10 HIT
MUSICALS -- AND IN EVERY ONE SHE WAS THE
EPITOME OF SINUOUS GRACE AND BEAUTY.
- 7 -
SHE WENT ON TO BECOME AN AMERICAN FAVORITE,
WINNING AN ACADEMY AWARD FOR HER DRAMATIC
ROLE IN "KITTY FOYLE," WOWING MOVIEGOERS WITH
HER PORTRAYALS OF SMART, FUNNY, INDEPENDENT
WOMEN, AND ENJOYING A DOZEN CURTAIN CALLS A
NIGHT AS DOLLY LEVI IN BROADWAY'S "HELLO
DOLLY."
- 8 -
THROUGH VAUDEVILLE, RADIO, TELEVISION,
THEATER, MUSICALS AND MOVIES, GINGER ROGERS
HAS CAPTURED AMERICA'S HEART AS ONE OF THE
MOST CELEBRATED ACTRESSES OF OUR TIME. //
IN 1991, MSTISLAV [MIS-TI-SLAV]
ROSTROPOVICH ENTERED THE HALLS OF THE RUSSIAN
WHITE HOUSE, HAVING MADE THE TRIP TO Moscow - -
- VISALESS AND AT GREAT RISK -- BUT EVER-
DETERMINED TO HELP HIS COUNTRYMEN TRIUMPH
OVER THE ATTEMPTED COUP.
- 9 -
THROUGHOUT HIS ENTIRE LIFE, MAESTRO
ROSTROPOVICH HAS BEEN A VALIANT DEFENDER OF
HUMAN RIGHTS: YET WE KNOW THAT HE IS NOT
ONLY A MAN OF UNYIELDING CONVICTION, BUT ALSO
A MAN OF INCREDIBLE TALENT. BY THE TIME HE
WAS 30 YEARS OLD, YOUNG SLAVA ROSTROPOVICH
WAS ONE OF THE TWO FINEST CELLISTS OF THIS
CENTURY.
- 10 -
IN 1977, AFTER A CONDUCTING CAREER THAT BEGAN
IN 1961 IN THE SOVIET UNION, HE BECAME
DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA,
WHICH HAS SINCE BECOME ONE OF THE FINEST
ORCHESTRAS IN THE NATION. As CELLIST,
CONDUCTOR AND HUMANITARIAN -- MAESTRO
ROSTROPOVICH IS NOTHING LESS THAN
EXTRAORDINARY. //
- 11 -
JUST WHEN YOU THINK PAUL TAYLOR HAS SHOWN
YOU THE MOST IMAGINATIVE AND MOST SKILLFUL
DANCING YOU WILL EVER WITNESS, HE PROVES YOU
WRONG IN HIS NEXT PERFORMANCE. HE IS A MAN
WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL GIFT, WHO THROUGH A RANGE
OF MOTION, EMOTION, AND CREATIVITY REVEALS
MUCH ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION.
- 12 -
A SOLOIST WITH THE MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE
COMPANY AND LATER A GUEST ARTIST WITH THE NEW
YORK CITY BALLET, PAUL TAYLOR WENT ON TO
FOUND HIS OWN DANCE COMPANY, WHICH HAS
PERFORMED IN MORE THAN 300 AMERICAN CITIES
AND 54 NATIONS. [AND THEY SAID I TRAVELLED
TOO MUCH. //] TONIGHT, WE HONOR PAUL TAYLOR,
WHO FOR 38 YEARS, DID NOT MERELY FOLLOW THE
// EVOLUTION OF MODERN DANCE -- BUT LED THE WAY.
- 13 -
WHETHER WE'VE TAPPED OUR FEET TO THEIR
MUSIC, HUMMED THEIR TUNES, GLIDED AROUND OUR
LIVING ROOMS, GRINNED AT THE MOVIE SCREEN --
OR MAYBE EVEN WAVED AN IMAGINARY BATON,
TONIGHT'S HONOREES HAVE DELIVERED A LIFETIME
OF PERFORMANCES THAT HAVE CARRIED US TO
PLACES AND EMOTIONS AND IDEALS ONLY THE BEST
IN PERFORMING ARTS CAN REACH.
- 14 -
To LIONEL HAMPTON; TO PAUL NEWMAN AND JOANNE
WOODWARD; TO GINGER ROGERS; TO MAESTRO
ROSTROPOVICH; AND TO PAUL TAYLOR: THANKS FOR
BRINGING US ALONG. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
#
#
#
likit
Nix
December 3, 1992
Draft One
KENCEN
C EEC 3 P5: 41
12/4/92
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
KENNEDY CENTER HONORS
THE EAST ROOM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1992
Good evening and welcome to the White House. Barbara and I
are delighted to be a part of this very special evening -- a night
we pay tribute to six people whose life's work has enriched America
-- both as people and as performers.
Each year, the Kennedy Center brings the world's finest in
music, dance and theater to the nation's capital. But it has left
its greatest mark on our nation in ways that reach far beyond the
stage -- nurturing young artists and teaching young people how very
vital the performing arts are to the American landscape.
And, now, the honorees for 1992:
More than 60 years have passed at the NBC recording studio
where a fairly unknown 17-year-old drummer first laid eyes on a
fairly unknown musical instrument. The instrument was the
vibraphone, the drummer was Lionel Hampton, and the music --
changed the sound of jazz forever. He played with jazz greats
Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman, but by the 1940s Lionel Hampton
was a legend all his own. Even today, he and his band continue to
enjoy unprecedented success. Tonight, America celebrates this
"master of swing."
1958 was quite a year for two of our honorees. Joanne
Woodward accepted the Oscar for "The Three Faces of Eve." Paul
Newman starred in the MGM hit "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Together,
the two starred in "The Long Hot Summer." And if that weren't
enough excitement for two people, they were married. Both
together and separately, Newman and Woodward have shown us acting
at its very best -- with movies like "A Fine Madness," "Hud," If
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Rachel, Rachel," "Mr. and
Mrs. Bridge" -- many more. As sponsors of several charities and
relief efforts, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have proven not
only generous in talent, but generous in spirit -- and far
outshine the honor we give them tonight.
It's been said that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred
Astaire did -- backward and in high heels. Though anyone who's
ever seen Ginger Rogers dance will tell you -- she always made it
look easy. Together, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire starred in
11 hit musicals -- and in every one she was the epitome of
sinuous grace and beauty. She went on to become an American
favorite, winning an Academy Award for her dramatic role in
"Kitty Foyle," wowing moviegoers with her portrayals of smart,
funny, independent women, and enjoying at least a dozen curtain
calls a night as Dolly Levi in Broadway's "Hello Dolly." Through
vaudeville, radio, television, theater, musicals and movies,
Ginger Rogers has captured America's heart as one of the most
celebrated actresses of our time.
In 1991, Mstislav Rostropovich entered the halls of the
Russian White House, having made the trip to Moscow -- visaless
and at great risk -- but ever-determined to help his countrymen
triumph over the attempted coup. Throughout his entire life,
Maestro Rostropovich has been a valiant defender of human rights:
yet we know that he is not only a man of unyielding conviction,
but also a man of incredible talent. By the time he was 30 years
old, young Slava Rostropovich was one of the two finest cellists
of this century. In 1977, after a conducting career that began
in 1961 in the Soviet Union, he became director of the National
Symphony Orchestra, which has since become one of the finest
orchestras in the nation. As cellist, conductor and humanitarian
-- Maestro Rostropovich is nothing less than extraordinary.
Just when you think Paul Taylor has shown you the most
imaginative and most skillful dancing you will ever witness, he
proves you wrong in his next performance. He is a man with an
exceptional gift, who through a range of motion, emotion, and
creativity reveals much about the human condition. A soloist
with the Martha Graham Dance Company and later a guest artist
with the New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor went on to found his
own dance company, which has performed in more than 300 American
cities and 54 nations. [And they said I travelled too much.//]
Tonight, we honor Paul Taylor, who for 38 years, did not merely
follow the evolution of modern dance -- but led the way.
Whether we've tapped our feet to their music, hummed their
tunes, glided around our living rooms, or grinned at the movie
screen, each of tonight's honorees has delivered performances
that have carried us to places and emotions and ideals only the
best in performing arts can reach. To Lionel Hampton; to Paul
Newman and Joanne Woodward; to Ginger Rogers; to Maestro
Rostropovich; and to Paul Taylor: thanks for bringing us along.
May God bless you all.
#
#
#
Document No. 365796
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
12/03/92
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: NOON Firday 12/04
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, 12/06/92
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCBRIDE
BAKER
MOORE
SCOWCROFT
X
MULLINS
DARMAN
PETERSMEYER
BATES
PORTER
BRADY
PROVOST
BROMLEY
ROSS
CALIO
SMITH
DEMAREST
TUTWILER
FITZWATER
ZOELLICK N/C
GRAY
MCGROARTY
HOLIDAY
FIRESTONE N/C
PORTER ROSE
HORNER
REMARKS:
Please provide any comments directly to Dan McGroarty no later
than NOON on Friday, 12/04, with a copy to this office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
called 11:00
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
5
Ext. 2702
Nix
December 3, 1992
Draft One
KENCEN
DEC 3 P5:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
KENNEDY CENTER HONORS
THE EAST ROOM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1992
Good evening and welcome to the White House. Barbara and I
are delighted to be a part of this very special evening -- a night
we pay tribute to six people whose life's work has enriched America
-- both as people and as performers.
Each year, the Kennedy Center brings the world's finest in
music, dance and theater to the nation's capital. But it has left
its greatest mark on our nation in ways that reach far beyond the
stage -- nurturing young artists and teaching young people how very
vital the performing arts are to the American landscape.
And, now, the honorees for 1992:
More than 60 years have passed at the NBC recording studio
where a fairly unknown 17-year-old drummer first laid eyes on a
fairly unknown musical instrument. The instrument was the
vibraphone, the drummer was Lionel Hampton, and the music --
changed the sound of jazz forever. He played with jazz greats
Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman, but by the 1940s Lionel Hampton
was a legend all his own. Even today, he and his band continue to
enjoy unprecedented success. Tonight, America celebrates this
"master of swing."
1958 was quite a year for two of our honorees. Joanne
Woodward accepted the Oscar for "The Three Faces of Eve." Paul
Newman starred in the MGM hit "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' Together,
the two starred in "The Long Hot Summer." And if that weren't
enough excitement for two people, they were married. Both
together and separately, Newman and Woodward have shown us acting
at its very best -- with movies like "A Fine Madness,' "Hud,"
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Rachel, Rachel,' "Mr. and
Mrs. Bridge" -- many more. As sponsors of several charities and
relief efforts, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have proven not
only generous in talent, but generous in spirit -- and far
outshine the honor we give them tonight.
It's been said that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred
Astaire did -- backward and in high heels. Though anyone who's
ever seen Ginger Rogers dance will tell you -- she always made it
look easy. Together, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire starred in
11 hit musicals -- and in every one she was the epitome of
sinuous grace and beauty. She went on to become an American
favorite, winning an Academy Award for her dramatic role in
"Kitty Foyle," wowing moviegoers with her portrayals of smart,
funny, independent women, and enjoying at least a dozen curtain
calls a night as Dolly Levi in Broadway's "Hello Dolly." Through
vaudeville, radio, television, theater, musicals and movies,
Ginger Rogers has captured America's heart as one of the most
celebrated actresses of our time.
In 1991, Mstislav Rostropovich entered the halls of the
Russian White House, having made the trip to Moscow -- visaless
and at great risk -- but ever-determined to help his countrymen
triumph over the attempted coup. Throughout his entire life,
Maestro Rostropovich has been a valiant defender of human rights:
yet we know that he is not only a man of unyielding conviction,
but also a man of incredible talent. By the time he was 30 years
old, young Slava Rostropovich was one of the two finest cellists
of this century. In 1977, after a conducting career that began
in 1961 in the Soviet Union, he became director of the National
Symphony Orchestra, which has since become one of the finest
orchestras in the nation. As cellist, conductor and humanitarian
-- Maestro Rostropovich is nothing less than extraordinary.
Just when you think Paul Taylor has shown you the most
imaginative and most skillful dancing you will ever witness, he
proves you wrong in his next performance. He is a man with an
exceptional gift, who through a range of motion, emotion, and
creativity reveals much about the human condition. A soloist
with the Martha Graham Dance Company and later a guest artist
with the New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor went on to found his
own dance company, which has performed in more than 300 American
cities and 54 nations. [And they said I travelled too much.//]
Tonight, we honor Paul Taylor, who for 38 years, did not merely
follow the evolution of modern dance -- but led the way.
Whether we've tapped our feet to their music, hummed their
tunes, glided around our living rooms, or grinned at the movie
screen, each of tonight's honorees has delivered performances
that have carried us to places and emotions and ideals only the
best in performing arts can reach. To Lionel Hampton; to Paul
Newman and Joanne Woodward; to Ginger Rogers; to Maestro
Rostropovich; and to Paul Taylor: thanks for bringing us along.
May God bless you all.
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 4, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR DAN McGROARTY
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER
RBP
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Kennedy Center Honors
We have reviewed the attached draft and have no suggested
changes from a policy standpoint. We approve of the draft
remarks in their current form.
CC: Phillip D. Brady
Document No. 365796
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
12/03/92
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
NOON Firday 12/04
DATE:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, 12/06/92
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCBRIDE
BAKER
MOORE
SCOWCROFT
MULLINS
DARMAN
PETERSMEYER
BATES
PORTER
BRADY
PROVOST
BROMLEY
ROSS
CALIO
SMITH
DEMAREST
TUTWILER
FITZWATER
ZOELLICK
GRAY
MCGROARTY
FIRESTONE
HOLIDAY
PORTER ROSE
HORNER
REMARKS:
Please provide any comments directly to Dan McGroarty no later
than NOON on Friday, 12/04, with a copy to this office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
Nix
December 3, 1992
Draft One
KENCEN
- DEC 3 P5:41
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
KENNEDY CENTER HONORS
THE EAST ROOM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1992
Good evening and welcome to the White House. Barbara and I
are delighted to be a part of this very special evening -- a night
we pay tribute to six people whose life's work has enriched America
-- both as people and as performers.
Each year, the Kennedy Center brings the world's finest in
music, dance and theater to the nation's capital. But it has left
its greatest mark on our nation in ways that reach far beyond the
stage -- nurturing young artists and teaching young people how very
vital the performing arts are to the American landscape.
And, now, the honorees for 1992:
More than 60 years have passed at the NBC recording studio
where a fairly unknown 17-year-old drummer first laid eyes on a
fairly unknown musical instrument. The instrument was the
vibraphone, the drummer was Lionel Hampton, and the music --
changed the sound of jazz forever. He played with jazz greats
Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman, but by the 1940s Lionel Hampton
was a legend all his own. Even today, he and his band continue to
enjoy unprecedented success. Tonight, America celebrates this
"master of swing."
1958 was quite a year for two of our honorees. Joanne
Woodward accepted the Oscar for "The Three Faces of Eve." Paul
Newman starred in the MGM hit "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' Together,
the two starred in "The Long Hot Summer." And if that weren't
enough excitement for two people, they were married. Both
together and separately, Newman and Woodward have shown us acting
at its very best -- with movies like "A Fine Madness,' "Hud,"
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Rachel, Rachel," "Mr. and
Mrs. Bridge" -- many more. As sponsors of several charities and
relief efforts, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have proven not
only generous in talent, but generous in spirit -- and far
outshine the honor we give them tonight.
It's been said that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred
Astaire did -- backward and in high heels. Though anyone who's
ever seen Ginger Rogers dance will tell you -- she always made it
look easy. Together, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire starred in
11 hit musicals -- and in every one she was the epitome of
sinuous grace and beauty. She went on to become an American
favorite, winning an Academy Award for her dramatic role in
"Kitty Foyle," wowing moviegoers with her portrayals of smart,
funny, independent women, and enjoying at least a dozen curtain
calls a night as Dolly Levi in Broadway's "Hello Dolly." Through
vaudeville, radio, television, theater, musicals and movies,
Ginger Rogers has captured America's heart as one of the most
celebrated actresses of our time.
In 1991, Mstislav Rostropovich entered the halls of the
Russian White House, having made the trip to Moscow -- visaless
and at great risk -- but ever-determined to help his countrymen
triumph over the attempted coup. Throughout his entire life,
Maestro Rostropovich has been a valiant defender of human rights:
yet we know that he is not only a man of unyielding conviction,
but also a man of incredible talent. By the time he was 30 years
old, young Slava Rostropovich was one of the two finest cellists
of this century. In 1977, after a conducting career that began
in 1961 in the Soviet Union, he became director of the National
Symphony Orchestra, which has since become one of the finest
orchestras in the nation. As cellist, conductor and humanitarian
--- Maestro Rostropovich is nothing less than extraordinary.
Just when you think Paul Taylor has shown you the most
imaginative and most skillful dancing you will ever witness, he
proves you wrong in his next performance. He is a man with an
exceptional gift, who through a range of motion, emotion, and
creativity reveals much about the human condition. A soloist
with the Martha Graham Dance Company and later a guest artist
with the New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor went on to found his
own dance company, which has performed in more than 300 American
cities and 54 nations. [And they said I travelled too much.//]
Tonight, we honor Paul Taylor, who for 38 years, did not merely
follow the evolution of modern dance -- but led the way.
Whether we've tapped our feet to their music, hummed their
tunes, glided around our living rooms, or grinned at the movie
screen, each of tonight's honorees has delivered performances
that have carried us to places and emotions and ideals only the
best in performing arts can reach. To Lionel Hampton; to Paul
Newman and Joanne Woodward; to Ginger Rogers; to Maestro
Rostropovich; and to Paul Taylor: thanks for bringing us along.
May God bless you all.
#
#
#
Kennedy Center Honors
Susan Porter Rose
pl 2nd take out
Conma after "year"
3rd change to
"We are honored today
to be part of the
presentation of these
1992 awards:"
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 4, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR DAN MCGROARTY
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
FOR COMMUNICATION
FROM:
McSfer /ROBERT T. SWANSON
ASSISTANT COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Kennedy Center Honors
At your request, Counsel's office has reviewed the above-
referenced matter. Comments as indicated.
Attachment
cc: Phillip D. Brady
Nix
December 3, 1992
Draft One
KENCEN
DEC 3 P5: 41
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
KENNEDY CENTER HONORS
THE EAST ROOM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1992
Good evening and welcome to the White House. Barbara and I
are delighted to be a part of this very special evening -- a night
we pay tribute to six people whose life's work has enriched America
-- both as people and as performers.
Each year, the Kennedy Center brings the world's finest in
music, dance and theater to the nation's capital. But it has left
its greatest mark on our nation in ways that reach far beyond the
stage -- nurturing young artists and teaching young people how very
vital the performing arts are to the American landscape.
And, now, the honorees for 1992:
More than 60 years have passed at the NBC recording studio
where a fairly unknown 17-year-old drummer first laid eyes on a
fairly unknown musical instrument. The instrument was the
vibraphone, the drummer was Lionel Hampton, and the music --
changed the sound of jazz forever. He played with jazz greats
Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman, but by the 1940s Lionel Hampton
was a legend all his own. Even today, he and his band continue to
enjoy unprecedented success. Tonight, America celebrates this
"master of swing." (Panise) (Applane)
1958 was quite a year for two of our honorees. Joanne
Woodward accepted the Oscar for "The Three Faces of Eve." Paul
Newman starred in the MGM hit "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Together,
the two starred in "The Long Hot Summer." And if that weren't
enough excitement for two people, they were married. Both
together and separately, Newman and Woodward have shown us acting
at its very best -- with movies like "A Fine Madness," "Hud,"
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Rachel, Rachel," "Mr. and
Mrs. Bridge" -- many more. As sponsors of several charities and
relief efforts, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have proven not
only generous in talent, but generous in spirit -- and far
outshine the honor we give them tonight. (Panse) (Applane)
It's been said that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred
Astaire did -- backward and in high heels. Though anyone who's
ever seen Ginger Rogers dance will tell you -- she always made it
look easy. Together, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire starred in
11 hit musicals -- and in every one she was the epitome of
sinuous grace and beauty. She went on to become an American
favorite, winning an Academy Award for her dramatic role in
"Kitty Foyle," wowing moviegoers with her portrayals of smart,
funny, independent women, and enjoying at least a dozen curtain
calls a night as Dolly Levi in Broadway's "Hello Dolly." Through
vaudeville, radio, television, theater, musicals and movies,
Ginger Rogers has captured America's heart as one of the most
celebrated actresses of our time. (Pare [(Applase)
In 1991, Mstislav Rostropovich entered the halls of the
without a visa
Russian White House, having made the trip to Moscow -- visaless
^
and at great risk -- but ever-determined to help his countrymen
triumph over the attempted coup. Throughout his entire life,
Maestro Rostropovich has been a valiant defender of human rights:
yet we know that he is not only a man of unyielding conviction,
but also a man of incredible talent. By the time he was 30 years
old, young Slava Rostropovich was one of the two finest cellists
of this century. In 1977, after a conducting career that began
in 1961 in the Soviet Union, he became director of the National
Symphony Orchestra, which has since become one of the finest
orchestras in the nation. As cellist, conductor and humanitarian
-- Maestro Rostropovich is nothing less than extraordinary. (Pause (Apgrlans,
Just when you think Paul Taylor has shown you the most
imaginative and most skillful dancing you will ever witness, he
proves you wrong in his next performance. He is a man with an
exceptional gift, who through a range of motion, emotion, and
creativity reveals much about the human condition. A soloist
with the Martha Graham Dance Company and later a guest artist
with the New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor went on to found his
own dance company, which has performed in more than 300 American
cities and 54 nations. [And they said I travelled too much.//]
Tonight, we honor Paul Taylor, who for 38 years, did not merely
follow the evolution of modern dance -- but led the way. (Pame (Applane)
Whether we've tapped our feet to their music, hummed their
tunes, glided around our living rooms, or grinned at the movie
screen, each of tonight's honorees has delivered performances
that have carried us to places and emotions and ideals only the
best in performing arts can reach. To Lionel Hampton; to Paul
Newman and Joanne Woodward; to Ginger Rogers; to Maestro
Rostropovich; and to Paul Taylor: thanks for bringing us along.
May God bless you all.
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