The 2008 National Medal of Arts was awarded to Jesus Moroles and presented by President Bush on November 17, 2008 in an East Room ceremony. Moroles was honored "for his enduring achievements as a sculptor of stone. His granite monuments grace America's landscape." The National Medal of Arts is a presidential initiative managed by the National Endowment for the Arts, and is the highest award given to artists and art patrons by the United States government.