President Biden Salutes 2023 Kennedy Center Honorees Billy Crystal, Queen Latifah, Barry Gibb and Others

President Joe Biden offered congratulations to this year’s Kennedy Center honorees — Billy Crystal, Queen Latifah, Barry Gibb, Dionne Warwick and Renée Fleming — as they were celebrated for their achievements in the arts Sunday evening. 

“It’s simple as it is profound,” Biden said in remarks at a White House reception ahead of the ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. “The performing arts are more than just sound and scene. They reflect who we are as Americans and as human beings.”

The president offered tributes to each of the honorees, beginning with actor and comedian Crystal. “In New York City, you can walk a few blocks and you can circle the Earth in just a few blocks. Eight million people of every background in most — in the most alive city, probably, in America. And that’s just one guy who makes everyone stop and laugh, Billy Crystal,” Biden said.  

"Now, Billy grew up sweeping the floor of his family’s music shop on 42nd Street, and he became America’s most celebrated comedian, actor, and writer on screen and on stage," the president continued. "What I admire most about him is his heart — his heart that reminds us to love and care for one another — raising awareness and funds to end cancer, fighting homelessness, help a city rebuild after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy and so much more."

The next honoree in Biden’s tribute was opera soprano Fleming. “With her heavenly voice, Renée has risen from humble roots in upstate New York to the heights of the opera world and well, well beyond, performing more than 50 of the greatest soprano roles on the world’s most prestigious world stages," he said.

"She sings in six languages. Over 2 million records sold. Five Grammys," he said of her accolades, before adding, "More personally, her rendition of 'Danny Boy' at the funeral of my friend, John McCain, moved us deeply."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Singer-songwriter-producer Gibb, who co-founded the Bee Gees with his late younger brothers, Maurice and Robin, was also praised by the president. “As a child in Australia and England, Barry Gibb finally made it to the United States,” said Biden. "And he and his brothers set their sights on one thing: to make it big... From their soulful hits in the ‘60s to fueling the explosion of disco in the 1970s, the Bee Gees defied genres and left an enduring mark upon pop music."

The president also hailed rapper and actress Queen Latifah, another of this year’s honorees. “Before [hip-hop] traveled from the Bronx to change the culture forever, it caught the ear of a child from Newark, New Jersey.  She’d grow up practicing with friends at school and then learning from legends in nightclubs. It didn’t take long for Dana Owens to become known as 'Queen Latifah,' " he said.  

“A natural storyteller," he continued, “she released her first album at age 19.  In the studio, she rapped about everything from the pain of losing her brother to the abuse of power, respect for Black women to — the respect that Black women deserve, and how infinite love is the only hope for unity."

He added, "She’s also a skillful storyteller onscreen.  The first woman in hip-hop to earn an Oscar nomination, which she did for her role in Chicago."

Lastly, Biden saluted singer Warwick, best known for the hit songs she recorded with the legendary songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. "Scripture tells us God gives each of us gifts. And thank the Lord God gave the gift to us of Dionne Warwick," he said.

“What makes her truly exceptional, in my view, is how her friend and great humanitarian, the incomparable artist, the previous Kennedy Center honoree, Stevie Wonder, described her. He said, 'You cannot separate the voice from the heart. You cannot separate the voice from the heart,' " the president continued.

Biden then added, “Her voice and heart make us feel something deep within ourselves. That’s Dionne Warwick. Truly a gift to all of us, Dionne. And that’s all been introduced by a guy who couldn’t carry a tune in a wheelbarrow.”

Biden ended his remarks by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations to the 2023 Kennedy Center Honorees. Congratulations to your families and friends. And thank you all for supporting the performing arts that shape our conscience and the very soul of the nation.”

Following the White House reception, the festivities were held at the Kennedy Center. There, the honorees were feted with tributes and performances. Among the notable names who were present to pay homage to the honorees included Rob Reiner, Missy Elliott, Cynthia Erivo, Meg Ryan, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Michael Bublé. The event will air Dec. 27 on CBS.

Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter said via a statement, "This year's slate represents an extraordinary mix of individuals who have redefined their art forms and demonstrated remarkable tenacity and authenticity in becoming an original.”