For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
October 26, 2001

Mrs. Bush Welcomes Recipients of the United Negro College Fund Liberty Scholarship
The White House

Laura Bush today met with the first recipients of the new United Negro College Fund (UNCF) scholarship for children of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The three recipients, their families, and UNCF representatives met with Mrs. Bush at the White House.

"The UNCF Liberty Scholarship represents a truly meaningful response to the tragic events of September 11," said Mrs. Bush. "The President and I are both strong supporters of UNCF and the historically black college and university community. We applaud UNCF's efforts to ensure all children of victims will be given an opportunity to continue their education and make positive contributions to our nation."

The first three recipients are UNCF students who lost a parent or guardian in the World Trade Center tragedy. Tiffany and Yolanda Smith, freshmen twins at Johnson C. Smith University, lost their father, Leon Smith, Jr., a New York City firefighter, Ladder Company 118. Vernessa Richard, a senior at Johnson C. Smith University lost her father, Lt. Vernon Richard, a New York City firefighter, Ladder Company 7.

The UNCF Liberty Scholarship will be offered to any child, regardless of age, who lost a parent or guardian, as a result of the tragedy. They will be eligible to receive a full scholarship for a college education at one of the UNCF's 39 member colleges and universities.

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