Thank you, Mrs. Bush, and thank you all for coming today. I’m also grateful to the President and the Congress for their unwavering support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and its We the People program.

Before I begin my remarks, I’d like to show you a brief video created by the History Channel. It provides a great overview of Picturing America.

That’s not an easy act to follow! My thanks to Libby O’Connell and the History Channel for helping us see Picturing America at work.

The President spoke earlier about the Endowment’s We the People program. Picturing America supports We the People’s mission in a unique and exciting way.

As I stated in the video, and as the President also mentioned, Americans are united not by race or religion or birth. Instead, we are bound by ideas and ideals that every citizen must know for our republic to survive. That survival is not preordained: the habits and principles of our democracy must be learned anew and passed down to each generation.

Picturing America helps us meet this challenge. It strengthens our democracy, by using great American art to ensure that our common heritage and ideals are known, studied, and remembered.

Works of art are more than mere ornaments for the elite; they are primary documents of a civilization. As the teachers in the video noted, a written record or a textbook tells you one thing — but art reveals something else. Our students and citizens deserve to see American art that shows us where we have come from … what we have endured … and where we are headed.

With this in mind, the NEH has chosen notable American works of art that will bring our history and principles alive for students and citizens of all ages.

The scope of this program is unprecedented for the NEH. Through Picturing America, we are extending the Endowment’s reach exponentially, by bringing American history and art to millions of young people and their families.

An endeavor of this magnitude is impossible without help. The NEH is fortunate to have the support of the Federal agency partners that Mrs. Bush mentioned earlier. In particular, I want to thank two people I had the privilege of working with at the NEH: Anne Radice, the Director of IMLS, and Dan Schneider, who oversees Head Start as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families at HHS. My thanks also to Director Mary Bomar and Deputy Director Lindi Harvey at the National Park Service.

The NEH is grateful as well for the cooperation of Deborah Robertson and Lainie Castle at the American Library Association, and for the generosity of Robert and Clarice Smith.

The Endowment also wishes to thank the National Trust for the Humanities — in particular its Chairman, Robert Perry, and the Honorable William D. Rollnick and his wife, the Honorable Nancy Ellison. And we appreciate the Department of Education and the Crayola Company for their promotional help with Picturing America.

The heart of Picturing America is the images. So let’s look at a few, and see what they can tell us about America.

One way teachers can use Picturing America is to show students how art conveys a common theme or principle from our history. Several of the images provide a wonderful way to study our founding principles of freedom and equality.

Here is Washington Crossing the Delaware. When we think of the American Revolution, this is one of the first images that springs to mind — which shows how powerfully a work of art can shape our historical memory.

The General stands resolute in the lead boat as his men strain to navigate the icy waters, while the American flag flies above them.

Washington is leading a daring crossing of the Delaware River to launch a surprise morning attack that will turn the tide of the war. This painting reminds us just how perilous and improbable the American Revolution was — and how strongly the Founders believed in the principles they were fighting for: freedom and equality.

Now, let’s view a memorable image from the 20^th century: a photograph of the Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights in 1965.

This image captures the courage and determination of the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement. Just as in the painting of Washington and his men, the American flag plays a central role. Four figures at the front of the group march briskly in unison. They are not armed — but like the soldiers crossing the Delaware, they press forward, resolved to uphold our founding principles.

These two works of art vividly remind us that freedom and equality, while never easy, are the precious birthright of all Americans — and every generation must be courageous in defending these principles.

Now as some of you might have noticed, this is an election year. So let’s conclude by looking at two paintings that help us reflect on the history and meaning of American democracy.

First we have an 1852 painting by George Caleb Bingham called The County Election. It captures the boisterous nature of frontier democracy — including the presence of plenty of alcoholic refreshment for the voters.

As one student in the video noted, we see only white males voting in this image. Viewing this painting helps today’s students understand the remarkable progress American democracy has made. But above all, this lively masterpiece reminds us that Election Day is a vibrant and vital moment, when Americans come together to exercise their right of self-government.

Next we see Norman Rockwell’s beloved work, Freedom of Speech, painted during World War II. A working man rises to speak at a town meeting. He is a citizen, not a spectator — and he is stating his opinion on the issues of the day.

Here Rockwell vividly depicts the importance of every individual’s voice in a democracy — at a time when free speech and other fundamental rights were under attack around the world. Seeing this image and learning its context gives us a renewed appreciation for the blessings of American democracy.

These are just a few examples of how Picturing America can help our young people connect to the people, places, events, and ideas that have shaped our nation.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting schools that received Picturing America during its pilot phase. One of these was Robert Brent Elementary School here in Washington — and I’m pleased to note that some of the teachers and students from that school are here today.

During these visits, it’s been deeply moving to see the enthusiasm and creativity that Picturing America sparks in our young people. These masterpieces will give millions of students and their families a deeper understanding of American history and principles — and instill in them a greater love for our country. By appealing to our citizens’ eyes, Picturing America will make an indelible impression on their minds and hearts. And that will help to prepare and inspire them, as they add their own chapters to our nation’s remarkable story.

Thank you all for coming today. I hope you are as excited about Picturing America as we are. And now I’d like to ask Mrs. Bush to conclude today’s program.