The Library of Congress will honor 78 "Living Legends" as part of its Bicentennial celebration on April 24, 2000. Medals will be bestowed by the Librarian of Congress during a National Birthday Party and Concert on the East Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at 12:30 p.m.

"During its year-long celebration of its Bicentennial, the Library of Congress is recognizing a number of Americans whose varied creative contributions to American life have made them living legends," said Librarian of Congress James Billington. "Selected by the Library's curators and subject specialists, those honored include artists, writers, activists, film makers, physicians, entertainers, sports figures, and public servants. Each in his or her own way has advanced and embodied the quintessentially American ideal of individual creativity, conviction, dedication, and exuberance. Their professional accomplishments and sense of commitment have enabled them to provide examples of personal excellence that have benefited others and enriched our nation in a variety of ways."

The list of "Living Legends" reflects the breadth and diversity of America's cultural and civic heritage, which is mirrored in the Library's unparalleled collections of more than 119 million items in some 460 languages. Among those in 10 disciplines who have been selected are children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, whose works enrich the Library's Children's Literature collection; author William Styron, who has worked with the Library's Center for the Book to promote literacy and some of whose personal papers are housed in the Library's Manuscript Division; caricaturist Al Hirshfeld, whose craft is honored by the Library's Swann Gallery of Caricature and Cartoon; composer Stephen Sondheim, whose 70th birthday will be celebrated on May 22 at a special musical tribute in the Library's Coolidge Auditorium; filmmaker Steven Spielberg, two of whose films are included in the Library's National Film Registry (E.T. The Extra- Terrestrial and Raiders of the Lost Ark); percussionist Mickey Hart and folk singer Pete Seeger, who have worked with the Library's American Folklife Center to preserve the nation's musical heritage; and comedian Bob Hope, whose field will be honored on May 10 with the opening of the Library's Bob Hope Gallery of Entertainment.

The Library of Congress National Birthday Party and outdoor concert, which is free and open to the public from noon to 2:30 p.m., will celebrate two centuries of America's cultural and historical legacy, and emphasize the importance of preserving the books, music, films, radio, and television moments and memories of the men and women who have helped shape our nation. Hosted by ABC journalist Cokie Roberts, program participants include Gen. Colin Powell, who will discusses the legacy of Abraham Lincoln as seen through the Library's Lincoln collection; illusionist David Copperfield on the influence of Harry Houdini, whose papers are housed in the Library; and "Living Legend" Mickey Hart, who will underscore the importance of preserving our musical heritage. Sesame Street's Big Bird, a "Living Legend" for his work in children's education, will be on hand with his co-star, Maria, to underscore the Library's commitment to making the Library's collections accessible to children and families through its new "America's Library" Web site.

The show will culminate in a performance representing the variety and diversity of American musical forms, including Latin, pop, rock, jazz, folk, bluegrass, and country. Performers include the Saturday Night Live Band, the U.S. Army Band, Rori Godsey, Kathy Mattea, Maurice Sendak, Roger Baum, Pete Seeger, Tao Rodriguez, Mickey Hart and Bob Weir, Tito Puente, Giovanni Hidalgo, David Sanchez, the Chi-Lites, Dianne Reeves, the Kan Kouran dancers, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, the Smokey Town Singers, and the Eastern High School Choir. The program will conclude with a joint arrangement of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land."

Library of Congress Living Legends

ATTENDING APRIL 24 EVENT

Big Bird

Herbert Block (Herblock)

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton

Vinton Cerf

Linda Chavez

Beverly Cleary

David Copperfield

Dr. Michael DeBakey

Dr. Sylvia Earle

Ahmet Ertegun

Suzanne Farrell

John Kenneth Galbraith

General Andrew J. Goodpastor

Dr. Stephen Jay Gould

Katharine Graham

Mickey Hart

Al Hirshfeld

Jenette Kahn (for Superman)

Ambassador Max Kampelman

Jeanne Kirkpatrick

Annie Leibovitz

Alan Lomax

Katherine Paterson

Dr. Jaroslav Pelikan

General Colin Powell

Tito Puente

Pete Seeger

Maurice Sendak

Bobby Short

Ralph Stanley

Gloria Steinem

Isaac Stern

William Styron

Dr. Harold Varmus

Dr. Fred L. Whipple

ACCEPTING HONOR BUT UNABLE TO ATTEND

Hank Aaron

Muhammad Ali

Madeline Albright

Harry Belafonte

Tony Bennett

Larry Bird

Judy Blume

William F. Buckley Jr.

Carol Burnett

Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carsonv Benny Carter

Johnny Cash

Julia Child

Bill Cosby

Merce Cunningham

Marian Wright Edelman

Quincy Jones

George Kennan

Jackie Joyner Kersee

B.B. King

Billie Jean King

Ursula LeGuin

Carl Lewis

Congressman John Lewis

Yo-Yo Ma

Robert McCloskey

Mark McGwire

Rita Moreno

Toni Morrison

I.M. Pei

Itzhak Perlman

Leontyne Price

Dr. Sally K. Ride

Cal Ripken

Fred Rogers

Philip Roth

Martin Scorsese

Stephen Sondheim

Steven Spielberg

Barbra Streisand

Gwen Verdon

Tiger Woods

Herman Wouk