Remarks At Reception for Donors to the Diplomatic Reception Rooms

I would like to say that Justice Scalia was here to join us. He's had to leave, but I want to thank him very much for making the time. But the most special thanks tonight goes to Gail. Gail, thank you so much. You first became acquainted with this program as a college researcher and you're going to retire this year as the Director of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms.

Now, many of you know that Gail oversaw the transformation of these rooms, working closely with each donor, each architect, each craftsman. I'm sure, as a quite demanding person, to make sure that it all was right and she consistently elevated the level of scholarship on the collection here. Working side by side with Gail, another fine colleague, Pat Heflin, who also retires this year. Is something going on here that I don't understand? (Laughter.) The two of them together have amassed a total of more than 80 years of service. (Applause.)

Now, where is Pat? I'd like Pat to be seen. Is Pat here? Pat, come, come. Gail and Pat, like the treasures in these rooms, you too are national treasures. Thank you very much for what you've done. (Applause.)

Each year, thanks to the outstanding support of our donors we enhance this remarkable showcase of American history. I'm particularly pleased that this year we are adding the medallion of Benjamin Franklin to the collection. The medallion was made in 1779 and is a terrific likeness of our most popular American diplomat, known as the father of American diplomacy. In the collection this year, we've also added a wonderful early 17th century map of the American continent by the Dutch publisher Wilhelm Blaeu. This wonderful piece embodies the spirit of the New World in which our forbearers embarked. It reminds us that ours was a deeply imperfect nation at its inception. But because our Founding Fathers enshrined enduring principles in democratic institutions, they enabled the impatient patriots of later generations to lead America ever closer to a more perfect union. It was a long struggle and we continue it today.

But it is a struggle that is going on around the world. And indeed if part of what it is to be human is to have a memory of your past and an expectation of a future, these rooms are important in doing just that. Because in these rooms we celebrate the past spirit of democracy and we celebrate its future as we see throughout the world that people everywhere want simply the great freedoms enshrined by the Founding Fathers who are so honored here.

And so I want to thank you for coming out tonight, but I especially want to thank you for your love of country, for your love of its history and its culture and for making it possible for the United States of America to be represented in these wonderful rooms.

Thank you very much.