First Lady Laura Bush
Honorary Chair
President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

Welcome to the 2004 Coming Up Taller Awards!

One of my favorite lines from Dr. Seuss is, "The more things you learn, the more places you'll go."

Across the country, children of all ages are learning and going places through the Coming Up Taller programs honored this year. From the creation of a magical moment on stage in Chicago, to the experience of an ancient culture in a museum in San Francisco, to an exploration of the ocean floor in Baltimore, Coming Up Taller programs offer education and adventure!

Coming Up Taller Awards are the nation's highest honor for after-school and out-of-school programs that use arts and humanities to enrich the lives of children. Young people most in need of encouragement and enrichment find in these programs a safe place in which to explore the world and their own creativity. They develop skills, discipline, and belief in themselves. They learn about their heritage and immerse themselves in dance, theater, or music. Younger participants learn the joys of books through hearing stories and practicing their reading. Older youth study on college campuses and develop plans to continue on to higher education. Guiding this new generation are artists and humanities teachers who share their talents and wisdom. They serve as advisors, mentors, and friends who support their young learners on new paths to personal success and commitment to community. We thank them for the wonderful work they do.

I am delighted to join the members of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities in honoring the 2004 Coming Up Taller Award recipients. You are making dreams of success become realities for many of America's most important citizens, our youth.