About Mrs. Laura Bush

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2008 is the sixth time that Mrs. Laura Bush has honored the winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Services at a special ceremony in the nation's capital to help spotlight the good work the nation's museums and libraries do for communities everywhere. She is actively involved in issues of national and global concern, with a particular emphasis on education, health care, and human rights. Growing from her personal experience as a schoolteacher and librarian, the First Lady’s support for education, especially through libraries and museums, is unwavering and sustained.

Mrs. Bush hosted the first-ever White House conference on school libraries, spotlighting research that ties academic achievement to strong school library programs. Passionate about the importance and pleasures of reading, Mrs. Bush launched the first National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., in September 2001. The 2007 National Book Festival drew 120,000 book-lovers from across the nation. The First Lady is especially associated with the Laura Bush Librarians for the 21st Century Program, a grant program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services that supports recruitment and training of librarians. Now known as the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, this new source of grants has grown over a very short time to $24 million annually.

Mrs. Bush is the leader of President Bush's Helping America's Youth initiative, listening to the concerns of young people, parents, and community leaders throughout the country and drawing attention to programs that help children avoid risky behaviors. She's highlighting the need of every child to have a caring adult role model in his or her life - whether that adult is a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, or mentor.

One of Mrs. Bush's first priorities in the White House was to convene the Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development. Prominent scholars and educators shared research on the best ways for parents and caregivers to prepare children for lifelong learning. Because children also need excellent teachers, Mrs. Bush works with teacher recruitment programs like Teach For America, The New Teacher Project, and Troops to Teachers.

Laura Bush was born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas, to Harold and Jenna Welch. Inspired by her second grade teacher, she earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Southern Methodist University in 1968. She taught in public schools in Dallas and Houston. In 1973, she earned a master of library science degree from the University of Texas and worked as a public school librarian. In 1977, she met and married George Walker Bush. They are the parents of twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, who are named for their grandmothers.