Obama To Award 20 Arts And Humanities Medals

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is to award the National Medal of Arts and the National Humanities Medal to 20 people Wednesday in the White House East Room.

Among the 10 being given the National Medal of Arts are pianist Van Cliburn, musicians Quincy Jones, Sonny Rollins and James Taylor, author Harper Lee and actress Meryl Streep. National Humanities Medals honorees include historians Jacques Barzun and Gordon Wood, and authors Joyce Carol Oates and Philip Roth. The first lady will take part in the ceremony.

Earlier, the president meets with advisers and has lunch with Vice President Joe Biden. And after the ceremony, both men will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Oval Office.

Comments

[dannyshiba]

07:56 PM on 03/03/2011

What, no Oprah? After she received a Kennedy Center honor, I just figured that he would give her whatever medal or award he could find - earned or not. C'mon Madam O, President O would like some more campaign money.

[ShinjiIkari]

02:54 PM on 03/02/2011

No offense, but these people, talented and accomplished though they may be, are the very definition of The Usual Suspects. Do we define them as medal-worthy just because they've been on the scene for decades without evolving much? Why Philip Roth and not Ishmael Reed? Why James Taylor and not Kurt Elling? Why Van Cliburn and not John Adams or Steve Reich?

[berryessence]

08:00 PM on 03/02/2011

Because maybe Ishmael Reed didn't get the support you need to be considered. THAT's WHY

[Mahi Joe]

01:03 AM on 03/03/2011

Those that he missed this time will be given medals during his second term in office.