Most people don’t know that President Reagan initiated the program for the highest award for artists and art patrons by the United States government. I guess it’s no surprise since both the President and Mrs. Reagan, as actors, held a deep and abiding love for the Arts. To take the concept one step further, artistic expression flourishes in a free society and with that idea in mind, it’s even more logical that our 40th president would be so strongly supportive. So, the President, along with the Presidents’ Committee on the Arts and Humanities recommended this recognition in 1984, called the National Medal of Arts, to be given to 12 deserving individuals. This is a separate award, not to be confused with the Kennedy Center Honors which originated in 1977.

Anyway, it’s really fun to hear the President and Mrs. Reagan participate in this ceremony – we’ll start with the first ceremony in 1985 – and celebrate again the achievements of these great individuals. President and Mrs. Reagan established a tradition of holding a luncheon for the recipients in the State Dining Room at the White House.