Annette Gordon-Reed. (Applause.) The 2009 National Humanities Medal to Annette Gordon-Reed, for important and innovative research about an American family, the Hemings of Monticello. Her narrative story about Sally Hemings and her relatives, Thomas Jefferson's slaves, brings to light a previously unrecognized chapter in the American story. (Applause.)

David Levering Lewis. (Applause.) The 2009 National Humanities Medal to David Levering Lewis, for his insightful examinations of W.E.B. DuBois, the Dreyfus Affair, and early Islamic-Christian relations in Europe, which have enriched our understanding of the figures and forces that shaped world history. (Applause.)

William H. McNeill. (Applause.) The 2009 National Humanities Medal to William H. McNeill, for his pedagogy at the University of Chicago and as an author of more than 20 books, including The Rise of the West, which traces civilizations through 5,000 years of recorded history. (Applause.)

Philippe de Montebello. (Applause.) The 2009 National Humanities Medal to Philippe de Montebello, for his vision in bringing great art to an international public and his leadership in revitalizing the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and for fostering arts appreciation among people of all ages. (Applause.)

Accepting for Albert H. Small, Robert Perry. (Applause.) The 2009 National Humanities Medal to Albert H. Small, for his devotion to sharing early American manuscripts with our nation's cultural and educational institutions, as a philanthropist and collector. His generosity has helped educate countless Americans about those who founded our country.

(Applause.)

Theodore C. Sorensen. (Applause.) The 2009 National Humanities Medal to Theodore C. Sorensen, for advancing our understanding of modern American politics. As a speechwriter and advisor to President Kennedy, he helped craft messages and policies, and later gave us a window into the people and events that made history. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big round of applause to all the honorees. (Applause.)

Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the formal program, but there are some drinks and big shrimp left. (Laughter.) So we expect you to enjoy the hospitality of the White House.

And Michelle and I just want to personally again say what an honor it has been for us to be here at this ceremony. Each and every one of these individuals in some way has touched my life.

I think about Robert Caro and reading The Power Broker back when I was 22 years old -- (laughter) -- and just being mesmerized, and I'm sure it helped to shape how I think about politics.

I think about Maya Lin and the first time I had a chance to see that extraordinary monument to the courage of our young men and women in uniform. I think about the first time I heard Jessye Norman's voice, or saw Rita in West Side Story. And my great friend Joe Riley -- the extraordinary work that he's done in Charleston. And Ted Sorensen, who used up all the good lines for every President remaining. (Laughter.) And Frank Stella, who obviously is a legend.

I don't want to mention everybody because each and every one of you in some way have touched our lives. So a personal thanks from Michelle and myself, and I hope all of you have a wonderful evening and continue to enrich the lives of our citizens. It is extraordinarily important. And we will continue to be as big a booster as possible from this office.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)