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my deepest sympathy and condolences to man Arafat and the Palestinian Authority the families of the victims, to my friend must demonstrate through their actions, Prime Minister Sharon, and to all the peo- and not merely their words, their commit- ple of Israel. Chairman Arafat and the Pal- ment to fight terror. estinian Authority must immediately find and arrest those responsible for these hid- eous murders. They must also act swiftly NOTE: The Office of the Press Secretary also and decisively against the organizations that released a Spanish language version of this support them. Now more than ever, Chair- statement.

Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel December 2, 2001

In a couple of minutes I’ll have the lence and terror to disrupt any progress honor of receiving the Prime Minister from that’s being made. We must not allow them Israel. We obviously changed our schedule to succeed. We must not allow terror to because of the horrific acts of murder that destroy the chance of peace in the Middle took place in his land. East. I will tell him that I strongly condemn Now is the time for leaders throughout the acts of murder that killed innocent peo- the world who urge there to be a peace ple in Israel. I will tell him our Nation to do something about the terror that pre- grieves for those whose lives have been af- vents peace from happening in the first fected by the murderers. place. This is a moment where the advocates May God bless the Israeli citizens who for peace in the Middle East must rise lost their lives, and their families. up and fight terror. Chairman Arafat must Thank you. do everything in his power to find those who murdered innocent Israelis and bring them to justice. NOTE: The President spoke at 11:26 a.m. on Clearly, there are some in the world who the South Grounds at the upon do not want us to achieve peace in the returning from Camp David, MD. In his re- Middle East. Clearly, there are some that, marks, he referred to Chairman Yasser Arafat every chance they have, they will use vio- of the Palestinian Authority.

Remarks at the Reception December 2, 2001

Well, thank you all very much. Good Every year, the Kennedy Center honors evening, and welcome to the White House. artists like yourselves for lifetime contribu- Laura and I are so pleased to have all of tions to the American culture. The recipi- you here for this incredibly happy occasion. ents for 2001 make quite a collection. We especially welcome the honorees, your [Laughter] As one newspaper put it in the families, and your friends. headline, this year’s honorees can carry a tune—and then there’s Jack. [Laughter]

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What the writer didn’t know is that he ac- was a good reason. The President said, tually plays the . But of course, that’s ‘‘Well, Jim, ‘The Sound of Music’ was on not why he’s here today. You’re each here last night.’’ [Laughter] so that America can recognize your great The face and voice of has gifts and the ways that you have used them. that effect on a lot of people. You’re in- was recently a guest at our stantly captivated when you meet her and ranch in Crawford, , at a dinner for hear her. After seeing ‘‘Mary Poppins,’’ a President Vladimir Putin of Russia. He’s reviewer put it this way: ‘‘If she did nothing known many other leaders. In this house but stand there smiling for a few hours, on December 1987, he played at a state she would cast her radiance everywhere. dinner for the Gorbachevs and had the en- It would be enough, but how that girl can tire Soviet delegation singing ‘‘ sing and dance. She glides off—it’s more Nights.’’ [Laughter] Three decades earlier, than you can bear. Julie, Julie, stay awhile.’’ Van visited the White House as a guest [Laughter] of President Eisenhower. He was 23 years As a girl of 12, she was actually turned old and winner of the Gold Medal at the down in her first screen test. A talent scout Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. As a declared her nonphotogenic. [Laughter] He result, the whole world knew his name. was obviously applying standards unknown Texas knew him even before, in a place to the rest of mankind. [Laughter] Not only called Kilgore. Harvey L. Cliburn, Jr., first is Julie Andrews the living definition of touched the keys at the age of 3 and was photogenic, her range of talent extends playing in public at the age of 4. Even from drama to musical to comedy to dance. a prodigy needs an inspiration, and Van And the range of her singing voice is four Cliburn’s was his devoted and talented octaves, every note pure and powerful. mother. She became his music teacher, the We’ve all sung along with Julie Andrews, only one he knew until he went to Juilliard. and we know she’ll sing again. And while She, herself, studied under Arthur we wait, we will treasure the many films Friedheim, who studied under Liszt, who and recordings that capture the sound of studied under Czerny, who studied with Julie and bring happy memories to us all. Beethoven. Wilda B. Cliburn lived a good, They’re the lasting achievements of the long life, and in her son’s own words, he truly lovely and gracious lady we honor said, ‘‘Mother was always a fierce, wonder- today. ful, and loving critic.’’ I know how you feel. also achieved success [Laughter] at an early age, but in another profession. He reached the summit early and stayed He was an insurance salesman. [Laughter] there. In his lifetime of talent and dis- And people found him very persuasive. cipline, Van Cliburn has brought great [Laughter] He had other plans, but his boss beauty into the world, and the world is told him to stick with insurance. To grateful. Luciano this man actually said, and I quote, Great beauty has also been the gift of ‘‘As a singer, you will undoubtedly die of Julia Elizabeth Wells, whom we all know starvation.’’ [Laughter] Pavarotti later said as Julie Andrews. The story is told of an that he got out of sales because all that important conference of world leaders talking was damaging his voice. [Laughter] some years ago. White House Chief of Staff That voice is now among the most familiar Jim Baker came to the guesthouse where on the planet. President was staying. He He began in the chorus of his hometown, assumed the President had been up late, Modena, Italy, seated alongside the tenor studying his briefing book, but then noticed he loved most, his dad, Fernando. He has the book hadn’t been touched. And there commanded the stage before live audiences

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in the hundreds of thousands, leaving his what we wish for. [Laughter] If there is listeners in a state of awe. The largesse one thing the man can’t do, it’s disappear of his voice and personality have drawn mil- into the background. lions into the universe of . He was not trained as an actor, but he In a career routinely compared to that had a feeling it was his calling. As Jack of the great Caruso, Luciano Pavarotti has had explained, he became interested in the gained the acclaim and affection of the craft when he noticed all the girls he liked American people. There’s no one quite like were doing plays. [Laughter] Before long, him. And we’ll all remember the day we he was working in a studio, sorting the were in the presence of Maestro Pavarotti. mail. He was on the big screen at age 21 Our fourth honoree is also worthy of the playing a variety of teens and drifters, per- title ‘‘maestro.’’ To look at him, you fect preparation for the film that made him wouldn’t know it, but is in a star, ‘‘Easy Rider.’’ We all remember his his sixth decade in the music industry. This other great pictures: ‘‘Five Easy Pieces,’’ one man has done so much, his career de- ‘‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,’’ fies any attempt at summary. But everyone ‘‘Chinatown,’’ ‘‘The Shining,’’ ‘‘A Few Good knows that if something has the name Men,’’ ‘‘As Good As It Gets.’’ ‘‘Quincy Jones’’ on it, it is going to be good. Everyone has a favorite scene and a fa- Among his many talents is that rare abil- vorite line delivered by Jack as only he ity to bring out the best in others. Dizzy can do it. Give him a scene in a diner Gillespie said, ‘‘People go to Quincy Jones where he just wants a piece of toast— because he knows what he’s doing. He [laughter]—and he’ll make film history. knows the sound you’ve got in you, and [Laughter] His characters leave mixed emo- he’s got the know-how to get it out.’’ tions, always something to draw you in, al- The man his friends call ‘‘Q’’ was born ways something to put you off. America Quincy Delight Jones, Jr., on the south side cannot resist the mystery, the hint of men- of Chicago. He made his own way in the ace, and of course, that killer smile. He world with few advantages beyond his own doesn’t rehearse, and he makes it look easy. talent, ambition, and class. Starting out in His 11 Oscar nominations put him in the band of , he would a class with , Sir Lau- eventually win the Grammy 26 times—so rence Olivier. He’s one of the handful of far. [Laughter] Quincy Jones has already actors to win the Oscar three times. We received more nominations for the Grammy pay him tribute today because John Joseph than any other artist. He produced one of Nicholson is one of the true greats of this the best selling singles of all time and the or any other generation of actors. best selling album of all time. I hope each of our honorees will enjoy All the hardship he knew early on has the evening ahead. Perhaps it’s a nice turned to good and creative purposes. His change that none of you will be called on successful life is testimony to faith in him- to perform. This is an evening for apprecia- self, faith in America, and faith in our Cre- tion, for looking back at all you’ve achieved, ator. ‘‘You can study orchestration,’’ he said. and for the part you continue to play in ‘‘You can study harmony and theory and our national life. everything else, but melodies come straight Congratulations, and thank you very from God.’’ much. For all your marvelous work, America thanks you, Q, and so does W. [Laughter] NOTE: The President spoke at 5:30 p.m. in once described himself as the East Room at the White House. In his the kind of guy who just wants to blend remarks, he referred to former President Mi- in. [Laughter] Well, we always don’t get khail Gorbachev of Russia.

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