President Bush bestowed the nation's highest civilian honor Friday on 10 Americans, including a comedian who kept America laughing for 30 years, a virtuoso violinist and a race car driver.

Other recipients were comedian Johnny Carson, violinist Isaac Stern, journalist David Brinkley, author Elie Wiesel, diplomat Harry W. Shlaudeman, Gen. John W. Vessey, architect I. M. Pei, singer Ella Fitzgerald and actress Audrey Hepburn.

The audience in the East Room of the White House watched raptly as Vice President Dan Quayle chatted with Carson, who spent many nights making fun of the vice president. On Friday, Quayle appeared to be enjoying their talk, and so did Carson.