Bill Clinton: “It's every performer's dream. In 1953 Gwen Verdon exited the stage after a brief solo in the Broadway musical…”

“It's every performer's dream. In 1953 Gwen Verdon exited the stage after a brief solo in the Broadway musical ``Can-Can,'' only to hear the crowd go wild, shouting, ``We want Verdon.'' Quite literally, she stole the show. After that first Tony Award-winning performance, she just kept dancing. Her collaboration with the great choreographer, Bob Fosse, defined the art of jazz dance. She gave brilliant performances in shows from ``Damn Yankees'' to ``Sweet Charity'' to ``Chicago,'' winning three more Tonys and fans all over the world. In movies ranging from ``The Cotton Club'' to the recent critically acclaimed film ``Marvin's Room,'' this famous redhead is showing us all that she is still alive and kicking. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Gwen Verdon. [The President and the First Lady presented the medal and congratulated Ms. Verdon.]”