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When she was First Lady of Texas, Laura Bush founded the annual Texas State Book Festival. Shortly after she became the nation's First Lady, she began plans to start an annual National Book Festival. The first one was scheduled to take place in September 2001. She persevered and the event is now a highlight of the late summer--early fall season in Washingon.

Golden State Warrior Baron Davis, left, and Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, right, present Laura Bush with a basketball jersey at the National Book Festival Author's breakfast in the East Room Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005.

Laura Bush speaks at the National Book Festival Author's breakfast in the East Room, Sept. 24, 2005. "Great books have brought many people through difficult times," said Mrs. Bush, explaining that the Book Festival is collecting books for schools, libraries and those affected by the recent hurricanes. "A story's setting -- real or imagined -- can provide a much-needed escape. And the characters in a good book are like old friends by the time we turn the final page."

Accompanied by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the First Lady attends the National Book Festival Gala, an annual celebration of books and literature, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., Friday, Sept. 23, 2005.

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The White House effort to help America's youth is another initiative of the First Lady's, and she enjoyed a very successful event last October.

President Bush, background, applauds as Mrs. Bush offers her welcoming remarks, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005 at Howard University in Washington, at the White House Conference on Helping America's Youth.

Laura Bush sits with Michaela Huberty, right, and her mentor, Jennifer Kalenborn, left, at the White House Conference on Helping America's Youth.