Bush, Kennedy Join Effort to Promote Literacy

Laura Bush, Caroline Kennedy and Lynda Bird Johnson Robb are joining the Library of Congress to promote literacy through a new awards program, along with a number of authors, publishers and scholars.

The library is announcing a new advisory board Thursday for the Library of Congress Literacy Awards. Bush will serve as honorary chairwoman.

The former first lady is a librarian and literacy advocate who created the Texas Book Festival in 1995. Later in 2001, she co-founded the National Book Festival with the Library of Congress.

The 21-member board will recommend nominees for the awards that will be given for the first time this fall. The board includes best-selling authors David Baldacci and James Patterson.

Philanthropist David Rubenstein donated $1.5 million to fund three annual awards honoring advancements in literacy.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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