On the recordSeptember 29, 1999
Any time we look at all that Steven Spielberg has managed to create on film, we know that that is what God put him here to do. Like Orson Wells, he was a true cinematic prodigy. He shot his first movies at the age of 12. By the ripe old age of 35, he was already one of our most gifted storytellers, with ``Close Encounters,'' ``Raiders of the Lost Ark,'' and ``E.T.'' But when his insatiable moral and imaginative hunger drove him to create such resident masterpieces as ``Schindler's List,'' one of the most important movies of the 20th century, and the remarkable, ``Saving Private Ryan,'' we saw that he was an astonishing historian, as well. On top of his creative mastery, Steven has devoted enormous time and resources to preserving Holocaust testimonies, supporting righteous causes, unleashing the power of entertainment and technology to help seriously ill children to heal. Steven Spielberg could have gotten the National Medal of the Arts, but I think he would want most to be remembered for his contributions to humanity. I also want to thank him for all the many times that he and Kate and their wonderful children have enriched our lives and all the things he tells me that keep me thinking. Today I was talking to Steven, and he said, ``How are you?'' And I said, ``I'm doing pretty good for an older guy.'' He said, ``Yes, but did you see that article that says that our children, certainly our grandchildren will live to be 150?'' And I got to thinking that--Hillary talked Steven into making the movie that we will show at the American millennial celebration on The Mall on New Year's Eve, as we see the turning of the millennium. And Steven has agreed to create this 18- minute movie of the century, 100 years in 18 minutes, so we'll feel like we're 150. [Laughter] He always finds a way to make it work. Colonel, read the citation. [Lieutenant Colonel Everhart read the citation, and the President presented the medal.]
Source
govinfo.gov
