Former First Lady Barbara Bush Earns Association of Children's Museums'
Great Friend to Kids Award

Washington, DC - The Association of Children's Museums will present former First Lady Barbara Bush its distinguished Great Friend to Kids Award at its 2003 annual conference, InterActivity, to be held in Houston, Texas, May 1-3. Mrs. Bush was selected for her tireless campaign to improve the lives of children by advocating for positive parenting, supportive family values and early literacy efforts. Mrs. Bush will speak about her efforts in a keynote address at the conference on Thursday, May 1.

ACM began the Great Friend to Kids Award in 1991 to honor individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions toward strengthening education and advancing the interests of children. Last year's award was presented to UNICEF for its worldwide leadership in service to children. Past recipients include Dr. David Elkind (2001), Dr. Robert Coles (2000), Children's Television Workshop (1999), Hillary Rodham Clinton (1998), Dr. James P. Comer (1997), Fred Rogers (1996), Dr. Ernest L. Boyer (1995), Peggy Charren (1994), Marion Wright Edelman (1993), Dr. Howard Gardner (1992) and Michael Spock (1991).

As a mother to six children and a grandmother to 14, Mrs. Bush has had a focus on family issues that has distinguished her career. Today, she continues her service as AmeriCares ambassador-at-large; and supporter of various organizations, including the Leukemia Society of America, Ronald McDonald Houses and the Boys & Girls Club of America.

For more than 14 years, she has pursued a quest to make literacy a value for every American family through the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. The foundation has benefited more than 367 family literacy programs across the country with nearly $12 million of support. To generate additional funds for the foundation, in 1990 Mrs. Bush wrote Millie's Book (the First Dog's memoirs), a national bestseller that was enthusiastically received by the public and critics alike.

ACM Executive Director Janet Rice Elman said, "We are thrilled to recognize the work of Mrs. Bush. Through the grant programs and public awareness campaigns of the Barbara Bush Foundation, she has given national prominence to the importance of involving parents and families in a child's earliest learning experiences. We thank Mrs. Bush for her singular efforts to help create a nation of lifelong learners."

The Association of Children's Museums is the professional service organization that endeavors to expand the capacity and further the vision of children's museums around the world. ACM's vision is to bring children and families together in a new kind of town square where play inspires lifelong learning. Founded in 1962 as a support group for directors, ACM has broadened its services and purposes as an international association with over 400 members.