The American Spirit Foundation was founded in 1989 by actor James Stewart

James Stewart (actor)

James Maitland Stewart was an American film and stage actor, known for his distinctive voice and his everyman persona. Over the course of his career, he starred in many films widely considered classics and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one in competition and receiving one Lifetime...

 and entrepreneur/felon Peter F. Paul

Peter F. Paul

Peter F. Paul is a former lawyer and entrepreneur who was convicted for conspiracy and drug dealing, and later for securities fraud in connection with his business dealings with Spider-Man creator Stan Lee...

. The foundation was established to draw on the resources of America's entertainment industry to develop public education programs in the U.S., and support of democracy movements in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Block. The foundation worked with the interdisciplinary studies director of the Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...

, Russian president Boris Yeltsin

Boris Yeltsin

Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...

 and Polish President Lech Wałęsa

Lech Wałęsa

Lech Wałęsa is a Polish politician, trade-union organizer, and human-rights activist. A charismatic leader, he co-founded Solidarity , the Soviet bloc's first independent trade union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and served as President of Poland between 1990 and 95.Wałęsa was an electrician...

.

Stewart remained as honorary Chair of the Foundation, while Paul served as President and CEO. In 1990, Spider-Man

Spider-Man

Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...

 creator Stan Lee

Stan Lee

Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....

, Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC , formerly Marvel Enterprises and Toy Biz, Inc., is an American entertainment company formed from the merger of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and Toy Biz, Inc....

 was invited to serve as Chairman of the Foundation, which he did through 1997. Stan Lee and Peter F. Paul collaborated to develop a Hollywood initiative, the Entertainers for Education project that was launched by President Reagan at the Fourth Spirit of America Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, December 13, 1990. James Stewart served as Chairman of the Gala, Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston was an American actor of film, theatre and television. Heston is known for heroic roles in films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes...

 emceed and http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5892533641826706836President Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....

 and Mrs. Nancy Reagan

Nancy Reagan

Nancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989....

] presented the Spirit of America Awards to Helen Hayes

Helen Hayes

Helen Hayes Brown was an American actress whose career spanned almost 70 years. She eventually garnered the nickname "First Lady of the American Theatre" and was one of twelve people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award...

 and MCA/Universal Chief Lew Wasserman

Lew Wasserman

Lewis Robert "Lew" Wasserman was an American talent agent and studio executive, sometimes credited with creating and later taking apart the studio system in a career spanning more than six decades...

, while launching the Entertainers for Education initiative before more than 150 Hollywood luminaries and executives at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

The Foundation recognized, through Spirit of America Awards, the contributions of more than thirty celebrated Americans who each personified a significant cultural contribution to the American Experience. As part of the celebration The American Spirit Foundation displayedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMf2ODahNEI The National Monument to the U.S. Constitution which represents the vitality of the American Dream as a beacon to all of mankind.

Spirit of America Honorees included Muhammad Ali, Jaime Escalante, Yo Yo Ma, Bob Hope

Bob Hope

Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...

, Helen Hayes, Ronald Reagan, Irene Dunne, Richard O. Anderson, Roy Campanella, Buzz Aldrin, Rafer Johnson, George Argyros, Ernest Hahn, Howard Finster, Michael Crawford, Boris Yeltsin, Lew Wasserman.