FLORIDA'S FIRST LADY COLUMBA BUSH

“We should take direction from alcohol use prevention programs and services in our communities that are already generating positive outcomes and making a difference for Florida’s greatest resource¯our children.  The time and resources we spend to shield our children ages 9 to 15 from alcohol use are critical to their future.”  Columba Bush

Introducing Columba Bush, First Lady of Florida

First Lady Columba Bush, one of the early members of the Leadership Committee,* has been active in efforts to prevent underage drinking on both national and local levels.  She began her active involvement in the Leadership initiative by attending the Executive Working Group meeting in January 2000.  At the first national Leadership conference in March 2000, she led the First Ladies in signing a pledge to promote the health, safety, and maximum potential for the success of our Nation’s youth.  Other national activities in which the First Lady has participated include working with Leadership partners such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) on a panel to present the initiative’s goals and activities, and visiting a Texas school to observe MADD’s new elementary school alcohol use prevention curriculum being taught.  Locally, Mrs. Bush welcomed participants to the Florida Prevention Partnership’s Prevention First! Fall 2000 Meeting and introduced Hope Taft, First Lady of Ohio, as a keynote speaker.  She also plans to host the 2001 Florida Statewide Prevention First Conference in December.

As Florida’s First Lady, Mrs. Bush serves as a spokesperson and active member of Informed Families of Florida, a nonprofit organization involved in educating families on the perils of drug abuse.  Nationally, she is a board member of Columbia University’s Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA).  Mrs. Bush also focuses on promoting art appreciation among Florida’s young people.  In 2000, she started the Arts Recognition Program, which honors high school seniors who have demonstrated exemplary talents in music, media, dance, theater, or visual arts.  She is also the cofounder of the Children’s Cultural Education Fund of the Ballet Folklorico, which raises money for the national dance troupe of Mexico.  Mrs. Bush was born in Leon, Guanajato, Mexico in 1954.  She and her husband Jeb Bush have three children.

* The 13-member Leadership Committee reflects the geographic and political diversity of our Nation and represents the wide, national appeal of the initiative¯to keep children alcohol free. The Leadership Committee plays a continuing critical role in awareness raising at the State and national levels.