WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 17, 2004) -- President George W. Bush awarded the 2004 National Humanities Medal today to seven distinguished Americans and one historical society for their contributions to the humanities. At a White House ceremony, the President presented National Humanities Medals to Marva Collins, Gertrude Himmelfarb, Hilton Kramer, Madeleine L'Engle, Harvey Mansfield, John Searle, Shelby Steele, and the United States Capitol Historical Society. The National Humanities Medal, first awarded in 1989 as the Charles Frankel Prize, honors individuals and organizations whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the humanities, broadened citizens' engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve...