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First lady presents awards to museums and libraries



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Associated Press - Published: January 15, 2008

WASHINGTON — First lady Laura Bush paid tribute Monday to 10 cultural institutions, including the Vermont Historical Society, for their creativity and public service and was then surprised to receive an honor of her own — an award for her commitment to promoting the nation's libraries.

Mrs. Bush and Anne-Imelda Radice, director of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, recognized the five libraries and five museums in a White House ceremony. Radice presented Mrs. Bush, a former librarian, with a medal for her contributions.

"One former president famously quipped that true friendships in Washington can be a rare thing, but in you, Mrs. Bush, libraries and museums have perhaps their truest friend and most tireless champion," Radice said, citing Mrs. Bush's work in hosting the first White House conference on school libraries and organizing the National Book Festival in 2001.

"You've been there with us every step of the way," Radice said.

Mrs. Bush praised the other honorees for working to foster appreciation for the nation's civil rights movement, promote environmental conservation and contributions of women in the arts, and inspire inner-city children.

"As a former librarian and someone who lives in a museum, this is one of my favorite events at the White House," said Mrs. Bush, who smiled with delight when she received her award.

The recipients of the 2007 Institute of Museum and Library Services medals, first announced late last year, are:

  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham, Ala.;

  • Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Ill.;

  • Georgetown County Library, Georgetown, S.C.;

  • Kim Yerton Branch, Humboldt County Library, Hoopa, Calif.;

  • Memphis Public Library & Information Center, Memphis, Tenn.;

  • National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.;

  • The Newberry Library, Chicago, Ill.;

  • Ocean County Library, Toms River, N.J.;

  • Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Ore.;

  • Vermont Historical Society, Barre, Vt.

    Among those attending Monday's ceremony were Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez as well as groups of high-school students from Brazil and Nashville, Tenn.

    On the Net:

    White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

    Institute of Museum and Library Services: http://www.imls.gov







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