NOTE FROM
THE FIRST LADY

When I was a child, I loved the written word, reading, and books. My imagination soared through the stories and characters that emerged every time I picked up a book.

Books are magical. Between their covers lie journeys of the imagination to unknown places, different people's lives, and other times. Their content gives voice and perspective to our own thoughts and feelings. Their words remind us of the power and beauty of language.

The fourth annual Coming Up Taller Awards also are about magic, imagination, and excellence. These awards celebrate the creativity of our young people and the excellence of afterschool, weekend and summer arts and humanities programs for children, especially those who live in family and community circumstances that offer few opportunities for discovery and creative expression.

The cultural programs honored by Coming Up Taller give young people a chance to discover their potential through the arts, words, and ideas—an opportunity to develop self-confidence and new skills.

Young people create new visions of themselves, their families, and communities through making documentary videos and community murals, or portraying the lives of historic luminaries in performance. Children raise their voices in hope and joy by singing gospel music "like anointed angels," or translate their favorite children's book into designs for tile murals. Young children and teens alike are developing new skills, meeting new friends, and experiencing the pride that comes from discipline, mastery and accomplishment.

Through these Coming Up Taller programs, our historians, writers, librarians, performing and visual artists, and media experts play an important role in transforming children's lives.

As Honorary Chair of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, I join with the members of the President's Committee, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts in saluting this year's awardees. We celebrate the creativity of America's young people and the willingness of our cultural community to invest in making every child's life a work of art.

Laura Bush