October 17, 2020 7:00 - 8:00 pm KPRC Channel 2 BENEFITING a legacy of a love for literacy The American Dream is “about equal opportunity for everyone who works hard. If we don’t give everyone the ability to simply read and write, then we aren’t giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. ~First Lady Barbara” Bush Dear Friends, Please accept our heartfelt appreciation for your continued generosity and loyal support of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation through A Celebration of Reading. While we are saddened that the Coronavirus pandemic prevents us from gathering in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for our special event, we are pleased that the program has transformed into a commercial-free, televised event. Mom would certainly be delighted that more people will be able to enjoy the program and overwhelmed by your gratitude in helping to make it possible. We, once again, have a fabulous line-up of national and international bestselling authors and award-winning entertainers. In addition, you’ll hear more about the pressing priorities and the incredible work being championed by the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. We hope that you will be proud of what is being accomplished through your investment and engagement in our efforts. While we are making a difference, we can and must do more. As educators and families grapple with the complexities caused by the pandemic and seek to find ways which address both the safety and health of staff and students, as well as the individualized socio-emotional and academic needs of children, the enormity of the situation at hand and its potential consequences on children, families and our community simply cannot be underscored. Dire short- and long-term consequences of widening the racial and socio-economic achievement gaps and jeopardizing the vitality of our society, socially and economy, are inevitable if we do not create a sense of urgency and take action. Our efforts, and those of our countless nonprofit and corporate partners and the army of volunteers assembled through our Ladies for Literacy Guild and Young Professionals Group are vitally important now, more than ever before. Thank you for helping us on our quest to make Houston a city filled with readers and the first city to break the intergenerational cycle of low literacy. With deepest regards and gratitude, Maria & Neil Bush Co-Founders and Co-Chairs, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation 4 Dear Friends, Thank you so much for joining us this evening to celebrate the transformative power of literacy and the legacy of my incredible mother, Barbara Bush. Of the countless causes that Mom could have championed as first lady, she chose literacy because she believed that it was the key to a brighter future for our entire nation. She knew that literacy is about much more than deciphering words on a page. It’s about ending cycles of poverty that are passed from generation to generation. It’s about empowering families and communities to reach their fullest potential. It’s about giving every American the ability to navigate the world and its opportunities with dignity. Now, it’s our turn to carry on the work that she began. Our quality of life depends on our ability to read, write, and comprehend. Yet, low literacy prevents 36 million Americans—roughly 20% of adults—from fully engaging in our society as parents, workers, and citizens. It lies at the core of the multigenerational cycles of poverty, poor health, and low educational attainment that impact our families, communities, and our nation as a whole. This is an enormous challenge. But, like Mom, I believe it’s one that we can and must solve together. Your commitment to improving the lives of your neighbors here in Houston is such an encouragement to our team at the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. We are so grateful to have you as our partners as we continue to advance Mom’s mission at the national level. With your ongoing support—together—we are transforming lives through literacy and making an impact that will last for generations to come. Sincerely, Doro Bush Koch Honorary Chair, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy 5 Chairs Maria and Neil Bush Co-Chairs Shahla and Hushang Ansary Susan and Jim Baker Ginger Blanton Lynn and Peter Coneway Gail and Greg Garland Iris and Bill Griffiths Betty and John Hrncir Elizabeth and Drayton McLane Janice McNair Sue Smith Annette and George Strake 6 Committee Members Kelli and Eddy Blanton Amy and Gentry Lee Leslie and Jack Blanton Carolyn and David Light Susan Bruch Soraya and Scott McClelland Deborah and Gardner Cannon Amy and Kyle McCully Martha and Mark Carnes Kathrine McGovern Charlene Carroll Linda and Jim McIngvale Wendy and Bill Chiles Ann and Rob McKee Cathy and Joe Cleary Hannah and Cal McNair Lisa and Mark Coffin Melanie and Mace Meeks Molly and Jim Crownover Karen and Scott Miracle Rose Cullen Alice and Keith Mosing Jill and Brad Deutser John Nau Brenda Duncan Sally and Charles Neblett Cary Dunham Roxann and Tim Neumann Terri and Greg Ebel Mariloli and Marvin Odum Patricia and Lon Edwards Kay Onstead Sidney and Don Faust Faith and Blair Parker Ellen and Tommy Ford Louise and Bob Parsley Lily and Charles Foster Susie Peake Lisa and Ray Garcia Stephanie and Scott Pierce Grace and Robert Givens Gloria Portela and Richard Evans Rhonda and Michael Graff Mary Ellen and Scott Prochazka Joanie and Don Haley Nathalie and Charles Roff Gina and Brian Hanson Deborah and Monte Stavis Terri and John Havens Anne Taylor and Edward Harris Lisa and Mark Jakel Ty and Lee Tillman Mary and Dennis Johnston Stephanie and Frank Tsuru Pat and David Jones Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Carolyn Keating Dick Wainerdi Terri Lacy and Jim Baird Andrea and Bill White Lisa and Ryan Lance Constance White 7 Program welcoming remarks President George W. and First Lady Laura Bush Neil and Maria Bush Dominique Sachse featured authors Jean Becker H.W. Brands, Ph.D. John Grisham Kevin Kwan Kathy Reichs, Ph.D. entertainment Lee Greenwood Mary Griffin Houston Children's Chorus Preacher Lawson Texas Southern University Choir Special closing remarks Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner 8 Dominique Sachse is an Emmy-winning news anchor for KPRC 2 News. She anchors KPRC 2 News' 6 and 10 p.m. weekday newscasts and works on special reports throughout the year. Dominique has been with KPRC 2 News since 1994. Some career highlights include covering President George Bush's inaugu- ration in January 2001 and Pope John Paul II's visit to Mexico City canonizing Juan Diego in 2002. Another one of Dominique's greatest joys in her job is working with local students, helping them plan their careers and future. George W. Bush served as the forty-third President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. President Bush is the author of three #1 New York Times bestsellers: Decision Points, his presidential memoir; 41, a biography of his father, President George H. W. Bush; and Portraits of Courage, a collection of oil paintings and stories honoring the sacrifice of America’s military veterans. Laura Bush served as First Lady of the United States and is a former teacher and librarian who continues to champion America’s public libraries through her namesake foundation. Mrs. Bush is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Spoken from the Heart, a personal memoir, as well as two children’s books she co-authored with daughter Jenna Bush Hager. 9 Neil and Maria Bush established the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation in 2013 to carry forth Barbara Bush’s literacy legacy. They currently serve as co-chairs on the Foundation’s Board of Directors and chair the annual A Celebration of Reading event. Neil also serves as chairman of Points of Light, an international nonprofit formed by President George H.W. Bush. Sylvester Turner is Houston’s sixty-second Mayor. Before serving as Houston’s mayor, he served for 27 years as the Representative for Texas House District 139. As a life-long resident of Houston, Mayor Turner is passionate about his city and is a visionary leader and supporter of education and literacy. 10 Jean Becker is the ghost author of Pearls of Wisdom, about First Lady Barbara Bush. Full of Barbara Bush’s trademark wit and thoughtfulness, Pearls of Wisdom is a poignant reflection on life, love, family, and the world by one of America’s most iconic and beloved public figures. Jean’s literacy works include support of Barbara Bush, A Memoir and the follow-up book, Reflections. Jean served as chief of staff for President George H.W. Bush for more than 35 years and deputy press secretary to First Lady Barbara Bush from 1989 to 1992. Before joining the Bush White House staff in 1989, Ms. Becker was a newspaper reporter for 10 years, including a four-year stint at USA TODAY where her duties included covering the 1988 presidential election and a Page One editor. H.W. Brands, Ph.D. is an American historian who holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at University of Texas at Austin. He has authored more than 30 books on U. S. history, several of which have been named New York Times bestsellers. He has twice been selected as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his books, The First American and Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. His latest book, The Zealot and the Emancipator, tells the epic struggle over slavery as embodied by John Brown and Abraham Lincoln, two men with radically different views on how moral people must act when their democracy countenances evil.
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