This evening, the President hosted a film screening of To Kill a Mockingbird in the Family Theater at The White House to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The President welcomed guests including local students from Washington-Lee High School, Mary Badham Wilt, the actress who played Scout, and Veronique Peck, widow of Gregory Peck who played Atticus Finch. The President also acknowledged the American Film Institute for their commitment to the fine arts and NBC Universal and USA Network for their efforts to commemorate this important film. The President thanked Wilt for “bringing the character of Scout to life” and Veronique Peck and her family for coming to the White House in support of the late Gregory Peck who would have been 96 years old today.  The President described Harper Lee’s novel as a timeless American classic and one of his favorite books.