Hollywood Star Al Pacino Honored by Obama

(NewsCore) - President Barack Obama presented Hollywood star Al Pacino with the 2011 National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House on Monday.

The "Godfather" actor was given the award in recognition of his contributions to film and theater.

Others to be recognized by the president with 2011 National Medals of Arts were artist Will Barnet, poet and author Rita Dove, curator and art collector Emily Rauh Pulitzer, sculptor Martin Puryear, country music singer Mel Tillis, pianist Andre Watts and the United Service Organization for its efforts in lifting the spirits of American troops.

Obama also bestowed the National Humanities Medals on nine authors, thinkers and scholars including Amartya Sen, the Indian winner of the Nobel Prize for economics in 1998 for his studies on the roots of poverty.

"In moments of calm, as in moments of crisis; in times of triumph, as in times of tragedy: you help guide our growth as a people," Obama told the honorees.

"The true power of the arts and the humanities is that you speak to everyone. There is not one of us here who hasn't had their beliefs challenged by a writer's eloquence; or their knowledge deepened by a historian's insights; or their sagging spirits lifted by a singer's voice. Those are some of the most endearing and memorable moments in our lives."

"Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker was among those in attendance at the ceremony, E! Online reported.