National Museum of American History To Honor Simon in Sept. 18 Program
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will present its Great Americans medal to composer, musician and philanthropist Paul Simon Sept. 18. The presentation of the medal is part of the “Great Americans Award Program,” the museum’s emergent and signature honor. Simon will be the sixth honoree and the first musician to receive the award.
The “Great Americans Award Program,” supported by David M. Rubenstein, chair of the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents, features a conversation between Rubenstein and the recipient followed by a presentation of the Great Americans Medal for lifetime contributions embodying American ideas and ideals. Since its inception in 2016, the “Great Americans Award Program” has honored those who have not only made a lasting impact in their fields but those whose philanthropic and humanitarian endeavors set them apart.
“Paul Simon has achieved something truly remarkable,” said Anthea M. Hartig, the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History. “Through the timelessness and poignancy of his music and his parallel dedication to understanding the beliefs and values of all peoples, Paul Simon has bridged cultures and generations in a way that beautifully exemplifies what it means to be a Great American.”
An accomplished musician and songwriter, Simon has produced such masterpieces as “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Sounds of Silence” and “Graceland” over his six-decade career. He has received 16 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as half of the duo Simon and Garfunkel. Simon was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a duo in 1990 and as a solo artist in 2001, and inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1982. “Mrs. Robinson,” his song from the film The Graduate, was named to the top 10 of the American Film Institute’s “100 Years, 100 Songs.”
Simon’s musical honors include the Library of Congress’ inaugural Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which recognizes the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture. In 2006, Time magazine called him one of the “100 People Who Shape Our World.” Simon is also a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
“For more than half a century, Paul Simon has been one of the music world’s most talented songwriters, recording artists and live performers,” Rubenstein said. “He has also been one of the music world’s most committed philanthropists. The National Museum of American History is thus honored to present Paul Simon with its Great Americans Award.”
In June 2017, Simon donated the net proceeds from his U.S. concert tour to the Half-Earth Project, an initiative of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, which is committed to stopping the species extinction crisis. During Simon’s “Homeward Bound—The Farewell Tour” in 2018, he thanked each tour city he visited with a financial gift to benefit local youth and environmental organizations. He continues his commitment to perform for charity, donating to organizations dedicated to environmental welfare and species biodiversity.
Simon’s varied philanthropic work includes co-founding the Children’s Health Fund (CHF), which donates and staffs mobile medical units that bring health care to low-income children and their families around the United States. Since its inception in 1987, CHF has provided over 5 million doctor/patient visits and created a primary health care source for communities affected by Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina.
About the Great Americans Medal
The museum will present Simon with a specially minted medal struck in Wisconsin from 1.85 ounces of fine gold. It features an American eagle with rays of the sun on the obverse or “head’s side” with the words “Great Americans” and “National Museum of American History” engraved around the edge. The reverse side honors one of the museum’s most important treasures, the Star-Spangled Banner, and includes the mission of the Smithsonian: “For the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” It measures approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter and was inspired by the rare Double Eagle coins in the museum’s National Numismatic Collection, which were designed by famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens for the $20 gold piece. The medal was made possible by museum board member Jeff Garrett and designed by Michael Guilfoyle, an international designer of coins and medals.
The “Great Americans” medal is presented annually to up to two recipients and includes an interview with the awardee by Rubenstein. Honorees’ accomplishments and influence on American history connect to the museum’s collections and exhibitions, including the impact of American giving. Previous honorees include Madeleine K. Albright, Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), Thomas J. Brokaw, Cal Ripken Jr. and Billie Jean King
Currently the museum is working on a permanent exhibition that will look at history through the power of entertainment. Videos of the recipients and additional information can be found at https://americanhistory.si.edu/great-americans. Explore the museum’s social media on Twitter (@amhistorymuseum), Facebook (@National Museum of American History) and Instagram (@amhistorymuseum).
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History explores the infinite richness and complexity of American history. It is located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, and is open daily (except Dec. 25) from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
Dear Mr. E.O. Wilson
Please let me introduce to you. I am not coming from the USA. I a living ‘across the ocean’ in the ‘old world’on the continent EUROPE. I have been living my entire life in The Netherlands a tiny country hardly to be seen on a map.
Nevertheless I have been following YOU and Paul simon as well since you met each other during the beginning of 2017.
I also have the songs Paul Simon played to the audience too during this meeting with wonderful pictures on the bakground depicting endangeroured species.
I am totally aware of the fact Paul Simon is an extraordinariy person.
I was born in 1952 seven years after WW II ended in Europe.
When I was a teen of about twelve years old (I`m a talking about the year 1965) it was the first time I heard the name of Paul Simon. I guess you know it well. It was because of – indeed – the commercial release of the Sound of Silence’.
I visited these two guys one time when Paul Simon decided to go on solo at the end of 1969.
The concert I visited (May scnd 1970) was held in Amsterdam my hometown I was living in these years in the so called “Het Concertgebouw’.
I was living ‘in this upperclass neigborhood’ at that time so it was an easy going to me. I went to it on my bike (I guess you hardly can inmagine) but it was and it still is about five minutes from where I was living at that time.
I married and I turned to discovering classical music. It was in that time that a very important report was published in Europe about ‘the state of the world that was in DANGER’. It is called the ‘Report of Rome’. but it remained just a warning unfortunately I have to say. It was only a message to ‘the lefties'(I am one of them) who listened to it.
In the same time my interest in nature was growing. I was already familar with nature because of my father who learned me a lot about it during my childhood.
In 1973 the word ‘ECOLOGY’ was ‘invented’
I went to a workshop in order learning more about what it is all about regarding NATURE in this word. Until nowadays I exaclty know – just like you do (I am sorry I am just a humble ‘autodidact’) – what THIS MEANING IS in relation to all endangered species all over the world.
The ‘western world’ from which we are a part of it, has to know learning that it might be not to late. Paul Simon was not aware of these facts at all. I do not blame him growing up in the worldwide city of New York.
I am used to say: “Better LATE than NEVER”. Paul Simon appeared to be an eager reader when he read the book you wrote . ‘You know what I`m talking about’. Of course the book ‘The Half Earth Project’.
Paul Simon too SAW THE WORLD IS IN DANGER JUST LIKE YOU ARE. I am just ‘a humble human being’ and I am not able to do so much for your organisation. Yes just giving a donation and next mont I will do this to you.
Paul Simon decided to go on tour in the year of 2017. It was only held in the USA and I kept following him by reading reviews of these concerts and also always looking forward to publishing all stuff regarding this tour on YouTube.
Paul Simon is – indeed – an extraordinary artist.
He still has so many skills and a state of mind I have never discovered by any artist at all I have to admit. Who is touring and giving concerts in order to preserve NATURE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES? PAUL SIMON DOES!
I have to admit to you most of the public who visited both Paul Simon Tour in 2017 in USA and the Paul Simon Homeward Bound Farewell Tour 2018 are not interested in NATURE. Most of them – and this is also happening in my country unfortunately. Most of the people do not realise how many species wer lost during the last thirty years regarding ‘BIODIVERSITY’. I have to cry each time I am watching a video with birdsongs realising myself that so many birds do not live anymore due to humanity; climatechange and POLLUTION.
You might consider me being foolish. You are alllowed too in fact I am a ‘kind of fool. So often I am laughed in my face but I know for sure – like Paul Simon and YOU are still doing the same – we still have a long way to go to fight for what is going on in order to preserve nature and its biodiversity.
I also followed Paul Simon in August 2019 on the West Coast of the USA gving four benefit concerts and donating all netto benefits to NATURE goals.
On October the 27th Paul Simon is to be seen on a new concert to be held in NYC. I know for sure you know it.
I also perceived your annual meeting to be held October 7th in Berkeley. Of course it is not able to me to visit your country. The only thing I can do for you is paying attention to it by making a tweet and an addiotinal donation t uour organisation.
I just was looking for some kind of articles for you on the internet.
I also have a picture-session of ths very big American Event.
Paul Simon receiving this very hugh price and putting aside to Madeline Albright. I listened to the entire video about her knowing where she once came from and why she left my continent.
I am ending my writing to you. I will give you some links you might be interested in.
This is the first one. This action was made by Paul Simon a day after he gave his second concert on Hawaii Mauii:
https://wset.com/news/entertainment/gallery/paul-simon-plants-a-tree-at-hawaii-forest-preserve-on-maui
I also have the short vid regarding Paul Simon honoring by Smithsonian
Paul Simon, Great American
https://youtu.be/cAUJxwzfMBk via @YouTube
To your inforation I wanna share a song with you.
A song Paul Simon wrote in the year 1983.
The words of this song are so typical Paul Simon written down in the year 1983 and did not lost anything of its acutality
Simon & Garfunkel: Citizen Of The Planet | Bonus Track
https://youtu.be/XE040KlIAJQ
My last gift to you is a post being posted on @Instagram
‘Paul Simon was awarded the Great Americans Medal for his contributions to American culture and ideals, and his philanthropy. At the National Museum of American History, on Wednesday.
So many classics of American music. The Sound of Silence, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Mrs. Robinson, The Boxer, If I Could, America, Graceland and more. He also started the Children’s Health Fund for low-income families and donated all the profits from his last tour to environmental foundations.
@paulsimonofficial @smithsonian @amhistorymuseum
#PaulSimon #GreatAmericans #BridgeOverTroubledWater #SimonandGarfunkel #Smithsonian #AmericanHistoryMuseum’
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2qcPE9hTr6/
Please keep on continuing your exellent work dear Mr. E.O. Wilson. The world is demanding for people like YOU AND PAUL SIMON!
Kind regards from The Netherlands
Corry Hoekman
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