Laura Welch Bush | whitehouse.gov Air Force One Laura Welch Bush Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President, George W. Bush. She served as First Lady from 2001 to 2009, advocating for historic education reform and the well-being of women and families worldwide. During her eight years in the White House, Mrs. Laura Bush was a champion of President Bush's ambitious agenda and a gracious representative of the American people. A former teacher and librarian, she has dedicated herself to advancing education and promoting the well-being of women and families worldwide. Mrs. Bush was a key advocate of the President's historic education reform – the No Child Left Behind Act – and a staunch supporter of NCLB's Reading First program, which is the largest early reading initiative in American history. Early in the President's first term, she launched "Ready to Read, Ready to Learn," an education initiative that promoted best practices in early childhood education and raised awareness of innovative teacher training programs. Inspired by her success with the Texas Book Festival, Mrs. Bush founded the National Book Festival to introduce tens of thousands of Americans to their favorite authors each year. In 2003, Mrs.

Bush answered the call to take her education agenda global, as honorary ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade. In this role, she has worked with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to promote global literacy programs with measurable outcomes. She convened world leaders for annual summits that inspired successful practices, beginning with the first-ever White House Conference on Global Literacy in 2006. Mrs. Bush has visited schools and met with students in nations from Afghanistan to Zambia, with a particular focus on encouraging girls and women to pursue their education. As the leader of President Bush's Helping America's Youth initiative, Mrs. Bush oversaw 10 Federal agencies in a groundbreaking partnership that realized the vision of the President Bush's Management Agenda. Through a national conference in Washington and six regional conferences, Helping America's Youth taught more than 1,000 community members new strategies to address the needs of at-risk youth. Since the attacks of September 11, Mrs. Bush has been an outspoken supporter of the women of Afghanistan. In November 2001, she became the first First Lady to give the President's weekly radio address, speaking out against the Taliban's oppression of women and children.

She has traveled to Afghanistan three times and served as honorary chair of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council. Mrs. Bush has been a leading advocate for the cause of human rights in Burma. She drew global attention to the ruling junta's oppression with a 2006 roundtable at the UN headquarters. After Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma in May 2008, Mrs. Bush held an unprecedented press conference in the White House Press Briefing Room and urged the regime to accept international aid. Mrs. Bush also traveled to the Thai-Burma border and met with refugees who fled the abuses of Burma's military regime. Mrs. Bush has traveled to all 50 States and more than 75 countries. She has made five trips to Africa alone in support of President Bush's life-saving global health initiatives, including the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In visits to 10 of the 15 countries targeted by the PMI and 12 of the 15 PEPFAR countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, she witnessed first-hand the success of these historic commitments.

In 2006, she joined President Bush to co-host the first-ever White House Summit on Malaria, which helped raise awareness of malaria and support grassroots efforts to eradicate the disease. Mrs. Bush has helped thousands of women take charge of their health by raising awareness of breast cancer and heart disease. As Ambassador for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Heart Truth campaign, Mrs. Bush traveled the country to educate women about the symptoms of heart disease, which is the number one killer of American women. In addition, Mrs. Bush helped launch the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research and the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas, which unite the resources of researchers and advocates in the United States and around the world. Mrs. Laura Bush was born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas. She earned degrees in education and library science and worked for several years as an elementary school teacher and children's librarian before marrying George Walker Bush. They have twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara, and a son-in-law, Henry Hager. The Bush family also includes two dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley. Prior to becoming First Lady of the United States, Mrs.

Bush served as the First Lady of Texas. Learn more about Laura Welch Bush's spouse, George W. Bush . Laura Bush - U.S. First Lady, Philanthropist, Educator - Biography.com quotes “Any first lady can do whatever they want to do. In this country” “people expect them to work on whatever they want or to have a career of their own.” “It's not easy to have the job of president. It's not easy to run for it. And it's not a job for the faint of heart.” “Every child in America should have access to a well-stocked school library.” Laura Bush Laura Bush - Mini Bio (TV-14; 3:44) Growing up in the small community of Midland, Texas, Laura Bush fell in love with books at an early age. Literacy, gender equality, and education were her chief causes as First Lady. Synopsis Laura Bush was born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas. Following her marriage to George W. Bush in 1977, Laura devoted her time to volunteer work and homemaking.

After George was elected governor of Texas in 1994, Laura raised her profile, working to improve literacy. As first lady, she spoke on the radio in support of the Afghan people, and testified before the Senate Committee on Education. Early Life Laura Bush was born Laura Lane Welch in Midland, Texas, on November 4, 1946. She is the only child of Harold Welch, a home builder and successful real estate developer, and Jenna Louise Hawkins Welch, who worked as a bookkeeper in her husband's business. As a child, Laura was shy and eager to please her parents. Early on, they encouraged her to pursue her love of reading, which became a life-long passion. Laura's life before college was typical of many young women, going to public schools and being with friends. However, on the night of November 6, 1963, she experienced something most teenagers don't: Around 8 p.m. that evening, she was driving a friend to a party on a desolate rural road when she ran a stop sign and hit another automobile broadside, killing its driver. The driver was a friend and fellow classmate, Michael Dutton Douglas, a star athlete and popular student at Robert E.

Lee High School. Laura and her passenger suffered only minor injuries. Though she was not charged in the accident, the guilt has remained with her all of her life. After graduation from high school, Laura attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, earning a bachelor's degree in early education in 1968. She taught second grade for a few years before receiving her master's degree in library science at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, where she became a public school librarian. Meeting George W. Bush In 1977, on a visit back to Midland, she met George Walker Bush at a barbeque that was hosted by mutual friends. George W. Bush was the owner of a fledgling oil business and the son of George H.W. Bush, a career politician and former Director of the CIA. There was an immediate attraction, and within three months of their introduction, Bush proposed to Laura. He was considering running for a congressional seat at the time, and she accepted on the condition that she never be asked to deliver a political speech. However, she soon relented, and publically supported her husband's unsuccessful bid for office.

After his defeat, Bush returned to is oil business and Laura became a housewife, but soon returned to politics to help her father-in-law, George H.W. Bush's presidential campaign in 1980. The following year (1981), Laura gave birth to twin girls, Jenna and Barbara, named after their grandmothers. Over the ensuing years, Laura began to quietly but steadfastly build a family. She encouraged her husband to attend church and quit drinking, and became a major positive influence in his life. Becoming Political In 1995, George W. Bush was once again inspired to enter politics in a run for the Texas governorship. This time, he won, and Laura Bush was thrust into the public arena of being the state's first lady. Still a reluctant speaker, Laura developed more confidence and began to take advantage of her elevated position to support causes and projects important to her. She successfully lobbied for the state funding of early reading, literacy and early childhood development programs. She also supported breast cancer awareness, and raised nearly $1 million for public libraries. In early 2000, George W. Bush began his campaign for the U.S. presidency.

Laura Bush enthusiastically supported her husband, appearing at rallies and avoiding controversy during the campaign. She made her first major national speech at the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Bush went on to win the closest presidential race in American history against his Democratic opponent, Al Gore. Although Laura planned to keep a low profile as first lady, national events made that nearly impossible. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks riveted attention on the Bush Administration, and Laura joined her husband in comforting the nation. In the aftermath of the attacks, she addressed parents' anxiety and fear over how the event affected their children. She frequently spoke about ways parents could comfort their families traumatized by the event. During her first term as first lady, Laura Bush continued to lend support to education, childhood development and teacher training. In January 2002, she testified before the Senate Committee on Education, calling for higher teachers' salaries and better training for Head Start programs. She created a national initiative called "Ready to Read * Ready to Learn" to promote reading at an early age. Additionally, she lobbied to continue work on saving America's national treasures, and supported the "Preserve America" campaign.

During the 2004 campaign, Laura dramatically elevated her public role as first lady by delivering a major policy speech at the Republican National Convention, and later, during the campaign, by speaking about major policy accomplishments and goals of the Bush Administration. Such speeches are usually left for office holders and political supporters. After Bush's win, Laura increased her activities by leading initiatives in health, literacy and gender equality. She traveled to Afghanistan to promote a new teacher-training institute for Afghan women. In 2005, she spoke at the World Economic Forum, emphasizing the link between education and fostering democracy. Throughout the final years of George W. Bush's second term, Laura continued to support women's health. In 2007, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health was founded at Texas Tech University. Traveling around the county, Laura spoke at events on the importance of early detection of heart disease. In October 2007, she traveled to the Middle East in an attempt to improve America's image by highlighting concern for women's health and promoting breast cancer awareness. Post-White House Years After the 2008 election, Laura Bush and her husband moved to Dallas, Texas, to work on the George W.

Bush Presidential Library. She also wrote her memoir, Spoken from the Heart which was published in 2010, and co-wrote a children's book with her daughter, Jenna Bush, entitled Read All About It! Since leaving the White House, Laura Bush has continued working for the causes she believes in, including breast cancer awareness and other women's health issues, and education. Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us ! Citation Information The First Lady & Her Role - The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum The First Lady & Her Role The Term “First Lady” zoom When Theodore and Edith Roosevelt moved into the White House in 1901, they brought six children with them. The crowded living and office space in the White House led President Roosevelt to construct a new office building in 1902. Today that building is called the West Wing. Courtesy The Library of Congress Unlike the President, the role of the First Lady is not addressed in the Constitution. Both the role of the Presidential spouse and the title have shifted and formalized over the history of the United States.

The spouse of the President is not elected to serve and yet, because the White House is both the residence and the office of the President, public service is inherent to the role. Traditionally, the wife of the Presidents served as the hostess and was in charge of all things domestic; but that role has grown. Beyond defining the role of First Lady, even counting them is difficult as more women than just the spouses of the Presidents filled the role of White House Hostess, particularly in the 19th century. Widowers and bachelors and others would call upon surrogates to fill the role when a spouse was unavailable -- a role that itself is a social surrogate for many of the ceremonial functions of the Presidency. When President George Washington was elected, the public, still steeped in the British culture surrounding royalty and aristocracy, referred to his wife Martha as “Lady Washington” as a sign of respect. This tradition stuck and both Abigail Adams and Dolley Madison were referred to as “Lady Adams” and “Lady Madison” respectively.

Since Thomas Jefferson was a widower by the time he was elected, and James Madison was his Secretary of State, Dolley Madison took on the role of White House Hostess when Jefferson’s daughter was out of town and unable to perform the task. When her husband became President, she was able to seamlessly transition into the role of First Lady, as she had already been performing the duties. Dolley was renowned for her excellent dinners and ability to bring opposing political players together. Because of this she is often pointed to as a model spouse who was both able to handle the domestic and ceremonial roles of the Presidency while also influencing policy and politics -- all while not overstepping the boundaries. At her funeral in 1848, President Zachary Taylor eulogized her as the "first lady of our land," bringing us a step closer to the current term for the Presidential spouse. Even at this time the term “lady” was problematic as it connoted the royal stratification of England that this fledgling democracy had rebelled against. The First Ladies themselves often did not like being called “lady,” even into the 20th and 21st centuries.

Jackie Kennedy famously quipped that it sounded like the name of a prized race horse. Other terms, such as “Presidentress” and “Mrs. President” were used early on. Both terms worked when the woman filling the role of White House Hostess was the spouse of the President, but came short to describe bachelor James Buchanan’s niece Harriet Lane. To remedy the problem, Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper used the term “First Lady of the White House” to describe her, the first time the term First Lady was seen in print. The term has stuck ever since. Her Role Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Nancy Reagan appear at the opening, May 12, 2005, of The Heart Truth's First Ladies Red Dress Collection exhibit at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. Courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum (P44867-138) First Ladies were often the most famous women in America, and were able to influence, or at least were perceived to be able to influence, the President. Due to their position and proximity, proponents of causes would implore First Ladies for their aid and assistance, and sometimes were successful at finding a champion.

Harriet Lane took an interest in the needs of Native Americans. Mary Todd Lincoln advocated education, employment, and housing opportunities for freed slaves. Helen Taft inspected unsafe working conditions and used her influence to get health and safety laws passed. As the role of the First Lady as both an advocate and a ceremonial replacement for the President continued to grow, Edith Roosevelt became the first to have a federally-hired social secretary. Lou Hoover then hired additional secretaries from her own funds, growing the staff of the First Lady. Eleanor Roosevelt was the first to have a personal secretary in addition to social and administrative secretaries, and Jackie Kennedy hired the first press secretary. Soon appointments secretaries, speech writers, and, with Rosalyn Carter, a Chief of Staff came on board, filling out a full staff to support the First Ladies’ projects and initiatives, as well as duties she performed on behalf of the President. Like their 19th century counterparts, 20th century First Ladies sponsored national and international causes, such as environmentalism, volunteerism, women’s rights, literacy, and treatment for drug dependency.

Laura Bush worked to further libraries, education, and the National Parks, and Michelle Obama is currently working to counter childhood obesity through healthy eating and exercise. Often these causes will be interwoven into the ceremonial functions of the White House, such as themed Christmas decorations under Mrs. Bush, or a ‘Let’s Go, Let’s Play, Let’s Move’ Easter Egg Roll under Mrs. Obama. First Lady Laura Bush stands with a group of Afghan girls on hand to greet her, March 30, 2005, upon her arrival in Kabul. Courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum (P44656-322) The American public has also been fascinated with the First Ladies as trendsetters in style, fashion, entertaining, and home design. After Frances Folsom Cleveland married President Cleveland in June 1886, women imitated her hairstyle and advertisers used her image to sell products. Mamie Eisenhower was named by the Dress Institute as one of the 12 Best Dressed Women in America in 1952 and was lauded for her use of color coordination and matching accessories, which then began to be imitated across the country.

Jackie Kennedy worked to historically preserve the White House and her special tours of the House were televised. She was also considered extremely fashionable and her style is still imitated today. Nancy Reagan was known for her signature color red, which appeared in the White House China service and in her wardrobe. Inaugural gowns have been a popular fascination spanning the centuries and many are held preserved in the Smithsonian. What a First Lady wore to inauguration often set the tone for that social season in Washington even going back to the 19th century. Over time, the interest in First Ladies has gone beyond the traditionally feminine roles of fashion and home, to include their educational background and what they are reading. The three most recent First Ladies have all had masters’ degrees, and their reading lists, whether officially released on the White House website or gathered by avid fans, are extremely popular, as are their biographies, whether they be autobiographies, official, or unofficial. As the personification of American power, the President of the United States and his family face continual scrutiny and criticism. First Ladies have been criticized for doing too much and for not doing enough. Some have been praised for their looks or fashion, and others have been less kindly treated.

Each woman has had to make her own rules and define her own role without both the guidance and limitations of the Constitution. As it has in the past, this role will continue to change and adapt -- someday there may even be a “First Gentleman.” Bibliography Caroli, Betty Boyd. First Ladies: From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010) How to Address the First Lady: Spouse of the President How to Address the First Lady: Michelle Obama While Michelle Obama is the First Lady, and is typically identified on the news and in the media as First Lady Michelle Obama such references are examples of a news reader/writer identifying Mrs. Obama in the third person for clarity in a news story. The term First Lady has not traditionally used as an honorific in direct address with First Ladies of the United States. Spouses of US officials receive no special form of address -- they are private citizens -- they hold no elected office. Being first lady is a role … not an office. Certainly they get attention and a good seat at events, but those are as a courtesy to their spouse -- the office holder.

[INTERESTING NOTE: In contrast, "First Lady" is traditionally used as an honorific for the wife of the pastor in many African-American congregations, but that is not the tradition for the spouse of United States elected officials.] Most formally Michelle Obama is addressed in conversation as Mrs. Obama. When addressing a letter, the traditional form of address to any First Lady is to "Mrs. (surname)" in care of The White House. Using just the surname is not confusing at The White House as to whom the letter should be delivered. Here are the correct forms of address ... all based on the forms I include in my book: Envelope, official: Letter salutation: (See note above) Dear Mrs./Mr. (surname): FYI, here is what's come in to the Blog that relates to this office/rank. For recent questions sent in, check out Robert Hickey's Blog . For specific offices/ranks, check out Robert Hickey's On-Line Guide . How to Address a Former First Lady? How should a letter and envelope to a former First Lady be addressed? The Honorable (full name)? First Lady (full name)? Mrs. (full name)? -- W.T. Wynne Dear Mr.

Wynne: A First Lady is not The Honorable (Full Name) based on being the "First Lady". To be addressed as The Honorable she would have had to meet the same requirement as everyone else, e.g., have been elected to office in a general election. She would be identified in an introduction as the First Lady of the United States from (year) to (year) and she is addressed as a private citizen. So formally, a former First Lady of the United States is addressed on an envelope as: Mrs. (Husband's Full Name) Or you could use the form used with a current First Lady: Mrs. (Surname) And the salutation would have been: Dear Mrs. (Surname) Note #2: Laura Bush used Mrs. Laura Bush on invitations when she was in the White House. (Some people surmised it was to differentiate her invitations from her mother-in-law's who was also "Mrs. Bush" on so many documents.) But whatever the reason, if you know Mrs. (Her Full Name) was the preference of a former First Lady – you could use it. But -- Mrs. (Husband's Full Name) or Mrs. (Surname) - are the forms that are traditionally correct.

Note #1: Addressing Hillary Clinton in writing is a different. She is entitled to The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton -- in her own right since she was elected to office in a general election, and served as Secretary of State -- and is thus an exception among First Ladies. -- Robert Hickey How to Greet a Foreign First Lady? I am meeting the wife of the present president of Mexico next week. What is the correct form of address? -- Vishnu Orally address her in English as: Mrs./Ms./Dr./etc. (Surname) Use the honorific to which she is entitled or prefers. Take note that she may not use the same surname as her husband. In the US, Canada, and Northern Europe women frequently use the same surname as their husband, but in the rest of the world – don't assume that they will. I extended conversation switch to: Ma'am The spouse of a foreign head-of-state is granted many of the courtesies due to her spouse, but she is not an official herself. Being a First Lady, as spouse of a head-of-state, does not come with a special form of address. -- Robert Hickey How to Address the Spouse of a Female President? Dear Mr.

Hickey: What is female president's spouse called? The First Gentleman? -- Mickey (Michelle) Broom Dear Ms. Broom: First Lady is used to describe the wife of the president of the United States, but it's not a form of address or honorific. The First Lady is addressed as "Mrs. (surname)" so currently that is -- Mrs. Obama. The male spouse of a president of the United States would be addressed as Mr. (full name) in writing and Mr. (surname) in conversation. In my book I show both the masculine and feminine forms ... but avoid the issue of whether he would be the First Husband and titled the section Spouse of The President. -- Robert Hickey Is a Girlfriend of an Office Holder Addressed as "First Lady"? I have a question about the title of the Governor of our state's girlfriend. Is she be addressed as the First Lady if they aren't married? Hope you can help. If she isn't called First Lady, how would she be addressed? Thanks so very much.

-- PR in Florida Dear PR, Spouses, partners, girlfriends (cousins, children, and neighbors, etc.) of officials do not receive any forms of address based on their spouse's/ partner's/ boyfriend's office. Spouses typically DO get preferential seating as a courtesy to the official ... e.g., when they are with the official -or- the preferential seat the official would get when they are representing the official. Interestingly the First Lady of the United States is not even on The White House's Precedence List ... since she has no official precedence based on being the 'First Lady': She is not an official – she was not elected. And while the wife of a President is described as The First Lady ... there is no official form of address for this un-elected role. Traditionally she is addressed as Mrs. (Surname). Yes, you hear newscasters saying First Lady (Her Name) ... but that's not a form of address ... its' a newscaster using a shorthand to refer to her in the third person. So back to the girlfriend – If you were to address a invitation's envelope to them, here's how it should look.

You don't need to mention his office on a social envelope: The Governor of (Name of State) and Ms. (Her Full Name) (Address) The Honorable (Full Name of the Governor) and Ms. (Her Full Name) (Address) How to Refer to a Former President and First Lady in Text? I was thrilled to get your book as a gift. I am enlisting your advice on the correct way to phrase the following message: [Company X ] commends the leadership, dedication, and commitment of former president George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush in their efforts to provide hope for cancer patients in their fight against cancer. -- Nelson Jacques Dear Mr. Jacques: Most formally it would be: [Company X] commends the leadership, dedication, and commitment of The Honorable George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush in their efforts ... 1. I suggest you not use the word "former". if you feel necessary to define his prior service it's better to include he was the 43rd President or he served as president from 2001 to 2009. "Former" sounds so 'has been'. 2. It's not necessary to identify that she was the First Lady. 3.

Mrs. Bush liked to be referred to by her first and last name "Laura Bush." (Probably to be specific that the First Lady "Mrs. Bush" was "Laura Bush" as opposed to "Barbara Bush".) So I would probably consider: [Company X] commends the leadership, dedication, and commitment of The Honorable George W. Bush and Laura Bush in their efforts ... -- Robert Hickey What is the DV Code of the First Lady? Do you know if the First Lady carries a Distinguished Visitor Code or DV Code? I Googled this information and was directed to your book “Honor & Respect.”. -- Steven @ The Pentagon Dear Steven: In my book I do have precedence lists useful when you need to find our or establish precedence The First Lady [spouse of the President of the United States: POTUS] does not have a DV Code. She does not appear on any official US precedence list. However she is accorded some of the courtesies due her elected-official spouse ... especially when she is there as a representative of The President. She even receives certain courtesies (like preferential seating) when among office-holders who actually are on the precedence list.

Thus, while she does not have a DV Code .... she always gets very good seat! This is typical for spouses who have a significant hostess functionality in the social aspects of very high offices such as president, governor – and perhaps mayor of a city or president of a university. -- Robert Hickey Laura Bush Laura Bush Laura Bush Twitter Facebook Laura Bush, former First Lady of the United States, is an advocate for literacy, education, and women’s rights. After leaving the White House, President and Mrs. Bush founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. The Center is home to the Bush Presidential Museum and Library and the George W. Bush Institute, a public policy center established to advance human freedom, economic growth, education reform, and global health. Today Mrs. Bush pursues her work on global healthcare innovations, and empowering women in emerging democracies through the George W. Bush Institute. She serves as the Chair for the Bush Institute’s Women’s Initiative, guiding the Institute’s programs to advance economic opportunity, good health and human freedom for women and girls.

Women’s Initiative programs are training women leaders in Egypt, raising awareness of Afghan women’s progress and plight, and convening African first ladies, government officials and public-private partnerships to invest in women’s health to strengthen Africa. Laura Bush is a leading voice for spreading freedom and promoting human rights across the globe. For more than a decade, she has led efforts through the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council to protect the hard-earned rights of women in that country. As First Lady, she made three trips to Afghanistan and in 2001 she delivered the President’s weekly radio address – a first for a First Lady – to direct international attention to the Taliban’s oppression of women. Long a supporter of the people of Burma, in 2006 Laura Bush hosted a roundtable discussion on Burma at the United Nations headquarters in New York. After Cyclone Nargis devastated the country in May 2008, she held an unprecedented press conference in the White House Press Briefing Room and urged the ruling junta to accept international aid. She then traveled to the Thai-Burma border, where she met with Burmese refugees. In 2012, Mrs.

Bush helped to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal to Burmese opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The legislation for the the medal, signed by President Bush, had been awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi in 2008 when she was under house arrest. As First Lady, Mrs. Bush advocated the importance of literacy and education to advance opportunity for America’s young people and to foster healthy families and communities. She highlighted the importance of preparing children to become lifelong learners, convening in 2001 a White House Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development. Since 2003, she has served as the Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade. Laura Bush visited schools and met with students in nations from Afghanistan to Zambia, with a particular focus on the education of girls and women. Mrs. Bush worked with the Library of Congress to create the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2001. The National Book Festival continues to this day and annually attracts more than 120,000 Americans. The Texas Book Festival in Austin was founded in 1996 by Mrs. Bush while she was First Lady of Texas.

At the Bush Institute in Dallas, President and Mrs. Bush’s Education Reform initiative works to improve student achievement through effective school leadership, middle school transformation, and the use of accountability. Because heart disease is the leading cause of death among American women, in 2003 Laura Bush partnered with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to launch The Heart Truth campaign and the Red Dress project. The Heart Truth campaign aims to raise awareness among women about their risk for heart disease. In 2006, she helped launch the first international partnerships for breast cancer awareness and research. As First Lady, she visited countries in Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America to support programs that help women detect breast cancer early so they can seek treatment when it has the best chance of success. Mrs. Bush has visited more than a dozen countries to support the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the President’s Malaria Initiative. Today through the Bush Institute, Laura and George Bush continue their work to promote women’s health through Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon, a health initiative that adds the testing and treatment of cervical and breast cancer to PEPFAR in sub-Saharan Africa. Mrs. Bush is the author of the bestselling memoir, Spoken From the Heart.

She serves on many boards, including the National Advisory Board for the Salvation Army, the Council for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Board of Trustees for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Laura Bush was born in Midland, Texas, to Harold and Jenna Welch. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Texas. She taught in public schools in Dallas, Houston and Austin and worked as a public school librarian. She served as First Lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000. President and Mrs. Bush are the parents of twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, son-in-law, Henry Hager, and proud grandparents of granddaughters Margaret Laura “Mila” and Poppy Louise Hager. The Bush family also includes two cats, Bob and Bernadette. Related Articles: Little-known facts about our First Ladies... Little-known facts about our First Ladies... Martha Washington, 1731-1802 George Washington’s wife was the first to be given the title “lady” by the press, as in “Lady Washington,” and the first wife of a president to appear on U.S.

postage stamp. Abigail Adams, 1744-1818 John Adams’ wife urged her husband to “remember the ladies” when he was writing the nation’s Declaration of Independence in 1776. She also was the first woman to be both a president’s wife and the mother of a president, and the first to live in the White House. Martha Jefferson, 1748-1782 No known portrait exists of Thomas Jefferson’s wife, who died 18 years before her husband was elected president. Their daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph served as White House hostess, and was the first to give birth in the presidential mansion in Washington, D.C. Dolley Madison, 1768-1849 James Madison’s wife is the only first lady given an honorary seat on the floor of Congress, and was the first American to respond to telegraph message—sent by inventor Samuel Morse. Elizabeth Monroe, 1768-1830 James Monroe's wife ended the custom of a president's wife making the first social call on the wives of other officials in Washington - and the insulted women boycotted her White House receptions.

Louisa Adams, 1775-1852 John Quincy Adams’ wife was the only first lady born in a foreign country—England. She played the harp, wrote satirical plays and raised silkworms. Rachel Jackson, 1767-1828 Andrew Jackson’s wife was a bigamist, having married Jackson before she was divorced from her first husband. She died after Jackson was elected president but before his inauguration. Her niece Emily Donelson served as White House hostess during most of the Jackson administration. Hannah Van Buren, 1783-1819 Martin Van Buren’s wife—his second cousin—died 18 year before her husband was elected president. Their daughter-in-law Angelica Van Buren served as White House hostess during the last two year of the Van Buren administration. Anna Harrison, 1775-1864 William Henry Harrison’s wife is the only spouse of a president and grandmother of another. She never lived in the White House because her husband died a month after his inauguration. Their daughter-in-law Jane Harrison served as White House hostess for the shortest time—30 days.

Letitia Tyler, 1790-1842 John Tyler’s first wife was a stroke victim and the first president’s wife to die in the White House. Their daughter Letty Tyler Semple and daughter-in-law Priscilla Cooper Tyler served as White House hostesses until Tyler eloped with his second wife, Julia (1820-1889), who became the first photographed first lady. Sarah Polk, 1803-1891 James Polk’s wife worked as the president's secretary without taking a salary, and forbid dancing and card playing the White House. Margaret “Peggy” Taylor, 1788-1852 Zachary Taylor’s wife learned to shoot a gun when she lived with her husband on the Western frontier. When she lived in the White House, she refused to serve as hostess, giving that role to their daughter Betty Taylor Bliss. Abigail Fillmore, 1798-1853 Millard Fillmore’s wife was the first presidential spouse to work and earn a salary before marriage—as a schoolteacher.

She died three weeks after leaving the White House, and her husband later married Caroline Fillmore, a widower who was wealthier than he was. Jane Pierce, 1806-1863 Franklin Pierce’s wife discouraged her husband’s interest in politics. Two months before his inauguration, Mrs. Pierce was overtaken with grief and depression when she witnessed the gruesome death of their only living son in a train accident. She never completely recovered from the trauma. Harriet Lane, 1830-1903 James Buchanan’s niece was the White House hostess for the only president to remain a bachelor. An avid art collector, Lane upon her death bequeathed her collection to the Smithsonian Institution, which today includes the National Gallery of Art. Mary Lincoln, 1818-1882 Abraham Lincoln’s wife was the first to hold séances in the White House, to be attacked in the press for lavish purchases during wartime and to fight for the abolition of slavery.

Eliza Johnson, 1810-1876 Andrew Johnson’s wife taught her husband how to spell and pronounce words properly, but tuberculosis prevented her from being hostess, a role assumed by their daughter Martha Patterson, who milked cows at the White House every morning. Julia Grant, 1826-1902 Ulysses S. Grant’s wife was cross-eyed, and owned slaves during the Civil War while her husband served as general of the Union Army. Lucy Hayes, 1831-1889 Rutherford B. Hayes’ wife was the first to ban all alcoholic beverages from the White House. She also hosted the first Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn. Lucretia Garfield, 1832-1918 James A. Garfield’s wife began efforts to conduct historical research on the White House rooms and served as her husband’s primary caretaker for two months after an assassin shot him. Ellen Arthur, 1837-1880 Chester A. Arthur’s wife was a contralto singer who developed pneumonia after a concert and died 20 months before her husband took office.

Arthur’s sister Mary Arthur McElroy served as White House hostess and later joined the anti-suffrage movement. Frances Cleveland, 1864-1947 Grover Cleveland’s wife was the youngest first lady—age 21—and the only bride of a president to marry—and give birth—in the White House. Before their marriage, Cleveland’s sister Rose Elizabeth Cleveland served as House hostess of the bachelor president. Caroline Harrison, 1832-1892 Benjamin Harrison’s wife was the first to use electricity and have a Christmas tree in the White House. She was the second first lady to die in the White House. After her death, her husband married her social secretary and niece Mary Dimmock Harrison. Ida McKinley, 1847-1907 William McKinley’s wife was the only first lady to work as a bank teller and manager, and successfully urged her husband to retain the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. Alice Roosevelt, 1861-1884 Theodore Roosevelt’s first wife died in 1884, 17 years before he was elected president.

A year later, he remarried and Edith Roosevelt joined her husband in the White House upon the assassination of President McKinley. Helen “Nellie” Taft, 1861-1943 William Howard Taft’s wife was the first first lady to own and drive a car, to ride in her husband’s inaugural parade, to support women's suffrage, to publish her memoirs, to smoke cigarettes, and successfully lobby for safety standards in federal workplaces. Ellen Wilson, 1860-1914 Woodrow Wilson’s first wife was the only professional artist to become first lady. After her death in the White House, her husband married Edith Wilson, a direct descendant of American Indian princess Pocahontas. Florence Harding, 1860-1924 Warren G. Harding’s wife was first first lady to vote, fly in an airplane, operate a movie camera, own a radio, and invite movie stars to White House. She also was accused of poisoning her husband, who died during his third year in office.

Grace Coolidge, 1879-1957 Calvin Coolidge’s wife worked as a teacher of deaf students, and became the first first lady to speak in sound newsreels. Lou Hoover, 1874-1944 Herbert Hoover’s wife was the first woman to graduate from Stanford University with a geology degree. She also spoke Chinese fluently. Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1962 Franklin D. Roosevelt’s wife was the first first lady to hold regular press conferences, write a daily newspaper column and a monthly magazine column, and host a weekly radio show. Bess Truman, 1885-1982 Harry S. Truman’s wife worked as her husband's salaried Senate aide and never gave an interview as first lady. Mamie Eisenhower, 1896-1979 Dwight D. Eisenhower’s wife appeared in television commercials when her husband ran for president, and enjoyed watching TV soap operas in the White House. Jacqueline Kennedy, 1929-1994 John F. Kennedy’s wife was the first first lady to hire a press secretary and a White House curator.

She also won an Emmy Award for her television tour of the White House. Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson, 1912-2007 Nicknamed Lady Bird as a child, Lyndon B. Johnson’s wife conducted her own campaign for her husband's election and lobbied for environmental protection. Pat Nixon, 1912-1993 Richard Nixon’s wife created White House tours for the blind and deaf, and was the first first lady to wear pants in public. Betty Ford, 1918- Gerald Ford’s wife once worked as a professional dancer with the Martha Graham Company. She also founded an alcohol and drug treatment center in California that bears her name. Rosalynn Carter, 1927- Jimmy Carter’s wife was the first to have a VCR in the White House, and to keep her own office in the East Wing. Nancy Reagan, 1921- Ronald Reagan’s wife worked as a professional actress, appearing in movies and in a music video—an anti-drug abuse message. Barbara Bush, 1925- George H.W.

Bush’s wife is the second first lady to be both the wife and mother of a president, and the only one to write a memoir from her dog's perspective. Hillary Clinton, 1947- Bill Clinton’s wife hosted the first White House webcast, and is the only first lady elected to public office—the U.S. Senate, and to seek the presidency. Laura Bush, 1946- George W. Bush’s wife is the only first lady to give birth to twins, to work as a librarian and to substitute for a president in his weekly radio address. Mrs. Laura Bush's Home Page Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States, January 2001 - January 2009. White House photo by Krisanna Johnson Biography of Mrs. Laura Bush Mrs. Laura Bush has been a champion of the President's ambitious agenda and a gracious representative of the American people. A former teacher and librarian, she has dedicated herself to advancing education and promoting the well-being of women and families worldwide. Mrs.

Bush has been a key advocate of the President's historic education reform  the No Child Left Behind Act  and a staunch supporter of NCLB's Reading First program, which is the largest early reading initiative in American history. Early in the President's first term, she launched "Ready to Read, Ready to Learn," an education initiative that promoted best practices in early childhood education and raised awareness of innovative teacher training programs. Inspired by her success with the Texas Book Festival, Mrs. Bush founded the National Book Festival to introduce tens of thousands of Americans to their favorite authors each year. In 2003, Mrs. Bush answered the call to take her education agenda global, as honorary ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade. In this role, she has worked with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to promote global literacy programs with measurable outcomes. She convened world leaders for annual summits that inspired successful practices, beginning with the first-ever White House Conference on Global Literacy in 2006. Mrs. Bush has visited schools and met with students in nations from Afghanistan to Zambia, with a particular focus on encouraging girls and women to pursue their education. As the leader of President Bush's Helping America's Youth initiative, Mrs.

Bush oversaw 10 Federal agencies in a groundbreaking partnership that realized the vision of the President's Management Agenda. Through a national conference in Washington and six regional conferences, Helping America's Youth taught more than 1,000 community members new strategies to address the needs of at-risk youth. Since the attacks of September 11, Mrs. Bush has been an outspoken supporter of the women of Afghanistan. In November 2001, she became the first First Lady to give the President's weekly radio address, speaking out against the Taliban's oppression of women and children. She has traveled to Afghanistan three times and serves as honorary chair of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council. Mrs. Bush has been a leading Administration advocate for the cause of human rights in Burma. She drew global attention to the ruling junta's oppression with a 2006 roundtable at the UN headquarters. After Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma in May 2008, Mrs. Bush held an unprecedented press conference in the White House Press Briefing Room and urged the regime to accept international aid. Mrs. Bush also traveled to the Thai-Burma border and met with refugees who fled the abuses of Burma's military regime. Mrs.

Bush has traveled to all 50 States and more than 75 countries. She has made five trips to Africa alone in support of the President's life-saving global health initiatives, including the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In visits to 10 of the 15 countries targeted by the PMI and 12 of the 15 PEPFAR countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, she witnessed first-hand the success of these historic commitments. In 2006, she joined President Bush to co-host the first-ever White House Summit on Malaria, which helped raise awareness of malaria and support grassroots efforts to eradicate the disease. Mrs. Bush has helped thousands of women take charge of their health by raising awareness of breast cancer and heart disease. As Ambassador for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Heart Truth campaign, Mrs. Bush traveled the country to educate women about the symptoms of heart disease, which is the number one killer of American women. In addition, Mrs.

Bush helped launch the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research and the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas, which unite the resources of researchers and advocates in the United States and around the world. Mrs. Laura Bush was born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas. She earned degrees in education and library science and worked for several years as an elementary school teacher and children's librarian before marrying George Walker Bush. They have twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara, and a son-in-law, Henry Hager. The Bush family also includes two dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley. Prior to becoming First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Bush served as the First Lady of Texas. Mrs. Laura Bush's Leadership First Lady's Work Advances President Bush's Agenda At Home And Abroad Mrs. Laura Bush is an effective ambassador on important issues for the President and our Nation. As First Lady, she traveled domestically to all 50 States and internationally to more than 75 countries. A leading advocate for literacy, Mrs. Bush has championed the power of education to foster healthy families and communities, advance opportunity for young people, and promote human rights worldwide, particularly for women and children. Mrs.

Bush Is Actively Involved In Supporting The President's Global Diplomatic Efforts The United States is working with the international community to promote peace, stability, and reconstruction in Afghanistan. In 2001, fewer than a million Afghan children were in school  all of them boys. Today, more than six million Afghan children are in school  about a third of them girls. Since the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan's infant-mortality rate has been reduced by almost 25 percent, and 85 percent of Afghans now have access to basic healthcare. Mrs. Bush made three trips to Afghanistan to underscore the United States' commitment to the country's rebuilding and development. In 2001, President Bush turned the microphone over to Mrs. Bush for the weekly radio address, where she spoke out about the oppression of women and children under the Taliban. Since 2001, Mrs. Bush has routinely met with Afghan students, teachers, parliamentarians, and judges during their visits to the United States for education and training. In June 2008, Mrs. Bush traveled to Bamiyan and met with the province's governor Habiba Sarabi, Afghanistan's first and only woman governor.

Governor Sarabi's appointment in 2005 was a historic milestone in the advancement of Afghan women. Mrs. Bush also met with women entrepreneurs and visited the Bamiyan Regional Police Training Center where she met with several women police officers. As Honorary Chair of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council, Mrs. Bush helps inspire both public and private partnerships to support Afghanistan. The Council has implemented over 30 initiatives in the areas of economic empowerment, education, political participation, health, and children's issues totaling approximately $70 million. In Paris, on June 12, 2008, Mrs. Bush addressed the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, urging the international community to offer the political and economic assistance Afghanistan needs to recover from decades of war and oppression. Following her third historic visit to Afghanistan, her remarks reiterated the President's commitment to aid the men, women, and children of Afghanistan as they rebuild their country. At the conference, Mrs. Bush announced a $10.2 billion pledge for U.S. assistance to Afghanistan. Total U.S. humanitarian, development, and security assistance appropriated since 2001 is more than $26 billion. Mrs.

Bush actively supports the people of Burma as they struggle to free themselves from the regime's tyranny. The United States has called on the international community to support the people of Burma in bringing peaceful change to their country. Mrs. Bush hosted a roundtable at the United Nations Headquarters in 2006 to draw attention in the international community to human rights problems in Burma. In subsequent editorials, interviews, and public statements, she has continued to cast the spotlight on the plight of the Burmese people. As part of her ongoing call to the international community to assist the Burmese people in their struggle for democracy and human rights, Mrs. Bush traveled to the Thai-Burma border. In August 2008, Mrs. Bush visited the Mae La refugee camp and the Mae Tao medical clinic to learn first-hand of the refugees' plight and their desire for education and freedom. Mae La, the largest of nine camps along the western Thailand border, shelters over 35,000 refugees, and provides free health care to hundreds of refugees each day. Mrs.

Bush has protested the violent crackdown of the ruling junta against peaceful protesters and the prolonged detainment of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Laureate and leader of Burma's freely-elected, pro-democratic party.She has called on the regime to stop its terror campaigns against its own people; to release all political prisoners; to commit to a meaningful, unrestricted dialogue with opposition leaders; and to take steps to foster a democratic transition. She has also called on the international community to refrain from purchasing Burmese gemstones, the revenue from which props up the repressive Burmese regime rather helping the people of Burma. On May 5, 2008, Mrs. Bush held a press conference in the White House Press Briefing Room and called on the junta to allow unhindered access for international disaster experts and aid providers so that the Burmese people could receive the assistance they need in the wake of the devastating Cyclone Nargis. Mrs. Bush Is A Leading Advocate For Literacy And Education In The United States And Around The World As Honorary Ambassador for the UN Literacy Decade, Mrs. Bush highlights the vital importance of literacy in addressing the challenges facing the developing world. In 2006, Mrs.

Bush convened leaders from around the world for the White House Conference on Global Literacy. Her commitment inspired six subsequent regional conferences, which addressed specific regional literacy challenges, promoted concrete country support, and fostered regional cooperation. By investing in literacy and education, governments give their people freedom to improve their lives, their health, their communities, and their nations. In support of the President's international education initiatives, Mrs. Bush promotes education for boys and girls throughout Africa and the world. The President's Africa Education Initiative (AEI) committed $600 million from FY 2002 through FY 2010 to increase access to quality basic education opportuni¬ties in Africa through scholarships, textbooks, and teacher training programs. AEI has awarded scholarships in 40 countries, trained more than 730,000 teachers, and provided 8.5 million textbooks and other learning materials. More than 34 million children have been helped by AEI to date. In 2007, the President and Mrs. Bush announced the Initiative for Expanded Education for the World's Poorest Children and committed an additional $525 million to provide greater access to quality basic education in six target countries and new after-school skills development programs.

Mrs. Bush supports education reforms that are closing the achievement gap. She has played an instrumental role in the success of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, helping ensure every child can reach his or her full potential. Drawing on her experience as a teacher, Mrs. Bush helped shape the Reading First program, which is putting proven methods of reading instruction in our Nation's classrooms to ensure every child is proficient by the fourth grade. Announced by President Bush in his 2005 State of the Union Address, the Helping America's Youth initiative, led by Mrs. Bush, encourages Americans to engage in helping young people become healthy adults. This nationwide effort works to raise awareness about the challenges facing youth, particularly at-risk boys, and to motivate caring adults to connect with youth in three key areas: family, school, and community. The initiative has developed resources for caring adults who want to help America's youth. In October 2005, Mrs. Bush convened the White House Conference on Helping America's Youth at Howard University in Washington, D.C. with parents, civic leaders, faith-based and community service providers, educators, and experts to address problems facing America's youth and showcase successful solutions. Six regional conferences co-hosted by Mrs.

Bush provided training sessions and an expert speaker series to give State and local participants best practices, successful program guidance, and lessons learned to apply to their work on behalf of young people in their communities. The vital work of Helping America's Youth will continue through a Presidential Working Group. The President signed an Executive Order on February 7, 2008, formally establishing the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs, a coalition of Federal agencies that will continue their work to support communities and organizations working to help our Nation's youth. As founder of the National Book Festival, Mrs. Bush encourages Americans to celebrate books and the joy of reading. Co-hosted annually by the Library of Congress and Mrs. Bush, this event brings up to 120,000 visitors each year to the National Mall to hear award-winning authors read excerpts from their latest books. Mrs. Bush actively supports Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts. In 24 visits to the Gulf Coast, Mrs. Bush has helped drive school recovery efforts for the 1,121 schools damaged or destroyed by hurricanes. She continues to encourage Americans to volunteer their time to invest in the future of the Crescent City and entire region. Mrs. Bush Champions Health Initiatives That Are Saving Lives And Healing Countries Mrs.

Bush has focused domestic and international attention on the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), and global efforts for breast cancer awareness and research. In visits to 12 of the 15 PEPFAR focus countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, Mrs. Bush has seen firsthand the success of this historic commitment to the fight against global HIV/AIDS. President Bush announced PEPFAR in 2003 as a five-year, $15 billion initiative  then the largest international health initiative in history to fight a single disease. In July 2008, the President signed bipartisan legislation to reauthorize PEPFAR for up to $48 billion for five additional years and to expand its programs to continue to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. From 2003-2008, this effort helped bring life-saving treatment to 2.1 million people and supported care for more than 10 million people around the world. Mrs. Bush has helped mobilize public and private efforts to address malaria.

Over the course of five trips to Africa, she has visited 10 of the 15 countries aided by the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI). The President and Mrs. Bush hosted the 2006 White House Summit on Malaria, bringing together international experts to establish a united effort to combat this preventable disease. The United States is working with countries in the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas to end breast cancer. During visits to nine countries, Mrs. Bush has encouraged women to take charge of their health and emphasized the importance of screenings and early detection. In Saudi Arabia, the number of women receiving breast cancer screenings at the Abdullatif Cancer Screening Center increased almost fivefold since the partnership began in 2006. The Heart Truth campaign has helped save tens of thousands of women's lives. In 2008, Mrs. Bush marked her fifth anniversary as The Heart Truth ambassador. Mrs. Bush has traveled throughout the United States to talk with women and raise their awareness of the risks of heart disease. As a wife and mother, Mrs.

Bush recognizes the urgency for women to commit to a lifestyle that promotes lifelong health, not only for every woman's own benefit but also for the benefit of their families and loved ones. More women are aware that heart disease is their number one cause of death. Today, 62 percent of women recognize that heart disease is the most common cause of death for women, up from only 34 percent in 2000. Fewer women are dying of heart disease. Heightened awareness is leading to action. The last six years saw the first decline in decades in the number of heart disease deaths in women. The yearly decrease in deaths from heart disease since 2000 amounts to 36,703 lives saved. The Heart Truth campaign is empowering American women to fight back against heart disease, which is often preventable. Mrs. Bush Is Working To Safeguard America's Heritage, Protect Our National Parks, And Conserve Our Oceans President and Mrs. Bush's leadership has helped ensure that our Nation's priceless intellectual and cultural artifacts, historic structures, and historic sites continue to be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Mrs. Bush has instilled in the next generation a sense of stewardship and pride in our National Parks.

In her role as Honorary Chair of the National Park Foundation and through programs like Junior Rangers and First Bloom, Mrs. Bush is encouraging youth across the country to appreciate and protect our country's national treasures and natural resources. The National Parks Centennial Initiative announced by President Bush and championed by Mrs. Bush will help ensure America's National Parks are on track for another century of conservation, preservation, and enjoyment. Over the next 10 years, increased government investment and private philanthropy will fund significant improvements to our National Parks that will enhance family experiences in parks by adding visitor services and restoring historic and cultural sites for public enjoyment. Established by Executive Order on March 3, 2003, the Preserve America Initiative encourages and supports community efforts to protect America's priceless cultural and natural heritage. Mrs. Bush advocates for the Initiative's work to establish a greater shared knowledge of our Nation's past, strengthen regional identities and local pride, increase local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support the economic vitality of our communities. To that end, more than 180 Preserve America grants have been awarded, totaling $12.7 million to date. On July 12, 2007, Mrs.

Bush announced that President Bush sent proposed legislation to Congress for the Preserve America and Save America's Treasures Act. If passed by the Congress, the Act will help ensure the government's continued ability to protect America's historic places, objects, and collections for many years to come. Mrs. Bush has championed conservation and protection of our oceans and coastal resources. Mrs. Bush announced the native Hawaiian name of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, underscoring the importance of native Hawaiian culture and resource protection. She emphasized the important role of ocean literacy and education by designating the J. L. Scott Marine Education Center as a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center. She also launched a Marine Debris Initiative to work with the private sector to clean up debris, educate the public about recycling and trash disposal, and work with our international partners to reduce the amount of marine debris entering the ocean. # # #

Question: Laura was the name of the First Lady of which US president?
Answer: George W Bush