For Immediate Release
Office of Mrs. Bush
September 26, 2002
Remarks by Mrs. Bush at Conference of Spouses of Heads of State and Government of the Americas
Mexico City, Mexico
September 26, 2002
Thank you very much.
My dear first ladies and friends, I am pleased to be a part of the
Conference of Spouses of Heads of State and Government of the Americas.
I appreciate hearing your perspectives about your activities in your
countries. I look forward to learning more about the progress of the
projects discussed here today.
President Bush joins me in this special message: When our
neighbors suffer any kind of loss, but especially that of life and
property, we share their grief. We want you to know that our thoughts
and prayers are with the people of Mexico and the Caribbean whose lives
have been affected by hurricane Isidore.
Señora Marta Sahagun de Fox, la Primera Dama de Mexico,
gracias.
Thank you for hosting this important conference and making us feel
welcome in your country. The United States and Mexico share a border
and a rich history. Our future rises over the same horizon, and our
goals for our people are the same. We share a great optimism for the
future of our countries, and the children of our nations.
Friends and distinguished guests, no matter what country we call
home, no matter what customs or faiths or cultures we embrace, one
value transcends every border: all mothers and fathers throughout the
world love their children and want the very best for them.
As President Bush said earlier this year in his State of the Union
address to the United States Congress: "All fathers and mothers, in
all societies, want their children to be educated, and live free from
poverty and violence. No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is
exempt from them."
Just two days ago, the United States Census Bureau released 2001
data on poverty and income in my country. The poverty rate for
African-American children in the United States is the lowest level ever
reported, and the rate for Hispanic children is the lowest level
reported in more than 20 years.
Another recent report, released this summer, showed a decrease in
the poverty rate for children living in homes headed by their mothers.
In 1980, 51 percent of children in female head of household families
lived in poverty. By 2000, this figure had decreased to 40 percent.
This report also shows that children of the United States are less
likely to die in infancy, teenagers are less likely to become pregnant,
and young people are less likely to use tobacco than in previous
years.
In the United States the number of Hispanic children has grown
faster than any other ethnic group in recent years. And 19 percent of
American children live with at least one parent who was foreign born.
The United States is a diverse nation and we take great pride in our
diversity.
While these improvements show some success, we cannot be satisfied
-- we have much more to accomplish. The life of every child is
precious. Children are our future, and the promise of the future lies
in the quality of the education we give them today.
+ Education is the gateway to a full and productive life.
+ Education invites equality, because it gives our children the tools they need to succeed in today's global economy.
+ Education fuels our economies, because it unleashes
creativity and provides the labor force essential to growth and development.
Through the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) our government is investing more than $850 million annually in
the Western Hemisphere, including about $38 million to improve child
survival and maternal health in 11 countries of the Americas. These
programs focus on childhood illnesses and vaccinations, malnutrition,
water and sanitation access, and malaria prevention and treatment.
Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, USAID also manages a
$52 million program to support education and training.
This year President Bush launched a major five-year education
initiative, the Centers of Excellence for Teacher Training, to improve
reading instruction and upgrade the knowledge and skills of teachers,
especially in disadvantaged communities.
The key to breaking the cycle of poverty is to have educated
workers. And educated workers begin as children who are ready to
learn.
The first five years of life are a critical time for children to
develop the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive skills they will
need for the rest of their lives. Infants and toddlers need parents
and caregivers who understand the importance of these early years.
If we take time to talk and listen to children -- to read with them,
share books with them, and teach them to name things in their
surroundings -- then we will give them the skills, knowledge, and
confidence to succeed in life.
Children do not automatically learn to read -- they first need help
to develop pre-reading and vocabulary skills.
As a former public school teacher and librarian, I knew I wanted to
help. So when my husband became president, I launched an initiative
called Ready to Read, Ready to Learn. This initiative informs
parents and other caregivers on how to help their children acquire the skills
they will need when they enter school.
One way this information is being shared is through a series of
booklets called Healthy Start, Grow Smart.
These colorful, easy to read booklets, provide month-to-month
tips for new parents. Every month during their baby's first year of
life, moms and dads can rely on this real information, in real time.
The booklets contain useful information on infant brain
development, health, safety and nutrition. They are available in
English and Spanish. I have some with me today, and I am pleased to
share these booklets with you.
We've also created brochures for parents of older children, called
A Guide for Reading. The Guide lists specific ways that parents
can help their children become ready to read and ready to learn. These
guides are available in both English and Spanish through our country's
Department of Education.
From the crib to the classroom, from the classroom to the
workplace, our children deserve to realize their hopes and dreams.
This can only come from a quality education.
I am proud to join President Bush in his mission to make our
schools the best they can be and to make our children the best students
they can be.
As leaders and as citizens of the Americas, our most important
responsibility is to give our children hope for the future and to help
them feel connected to the future. With commitment, resources and
energetic leadership, we can reach -- and teach -- children everywhere.
Today we are rededicating our efforts as nations -- and as
individuals -- to protect, educate, and provide opportunities that will
allow our children to build foundations that will last their lifetimes
and serve future generations.
This legacy is one we will all be proud to share.
Thank you very much.
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