President's Challenge to the Arts

"...I'd like to make one last point about our national community. Our economy is measured in numbers and statistics, and it's very important.

But the enduring worth of our nation lies in our values and our soaring spirit. So instead of cutting back on our modest efforts to support the arts and humanities, I believe we should stand by them.

     ...and challenge our artists, musicians, and writers, our museums, libraries, and theaters, to join with all Americans to make the year 2000 a national celebration of the American spirit in every community.

     ...a celebration of our common culture in a century that has passed, and in the new one to come in the new millennium so that we can remain the world's beacon of liberty and creativity long after the fireworks have ended. "

William Jefferson Clinton
President, United States of America
State of the Union Speech, February 4, 1997