President Bush awards 11 Humanities Medals

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush handed out 2008 National Humanities Medals to nine people, a museum and a philanthropic foundation during a White House ceremony.

The awards presentation, honoring those who made exemplary contributions to the humanities, took place Monday in the White House's East Room, the National Endowment for the Humanities said.

In recognition of their scholarship, literary works, philanthropy and preservation efforts, the President presented medals to Gabor S. Boritt, scholar and Civil War historian; Richard Brookhiser, biographer and historian; Harold Holzer, scholar and Civil War historian; Myron Magnet, journalist and author; Albert Marrin, children's book author; Milton J. Rosenberg, radio show host and scholar; Thomas A. Saunders III and Jordan Horner Saunders, philanthropists; Robert H. Smith, philanthropist; the John Templeton Foundation; and the Norman Rockwell Museum.

The medalists and their families and friends attended a reception held in their honor prior to the ceremony.