Ronald Reagan actually said...

On behalf of the American people, I commend you, each of you, for crowning our nation's greatness with grace.

I know the Endowment will draw on these examples as it launches its new initiatives in arts education.

We celebrate 12 rich contributions to American arts; and, in a wider sense, we celebrate American culture itself.

Certainly the existence of strong music and fine arts curricula is important to keeping the humanities truly humanizing.