At the Leonardo's unveiling in the National Gallery's West Statuary Hall, President Kennedy told 2,000
guests, including the entire United States Congress, the Supreme Court, the members of his Cabinet, and their wives: «We here
tonight, among them many of the men entrusted with the destiny of this Republic, also
come to pay homage to this great creation of the civilization which we share, the beliefs which we protect, and the aspirations toward which we together strive.»