MURRIETA, Calif. - George W. Bush had a befuddled look on his face when I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to return my business card. He had just signed the back of the card, and I needed it in order to include him as a supporter of Newspapers In Education.

Every March, Newspapers In Education is celebrated in the United States, and other countries around the world. Most NIE programs have support curriculum to aid instructors to teach almost any subject with the "living textbook." Newspapers companies, including The Tribune, often provide schools with no-cost or discounted sets of newspapers.

(Dolores Sanchez Badillo/Tribune Columnist)

Fundraising and or sponsorships are required to put classroom sets of newspapers in the hands of students. This year, 2006, marks the 25th year newspapers have been celebrating the educational program in March.

In the U.S., newspapers have been a part of classroom instruction used since Revolutionary times. For the 12 years I headed up NIE departments at two southern California newspapers, we celebrated the entire month.

The year 2000 was a campaign year, and I literaly had Dubya in a corner. Along with my NIE Coordinator, Laura, we paced almost an hour outside the San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board Room, waiting to meet with the then-Texas governor.

We were there for a good cause, and already our marketing materials has passed muster with the high-level handlers.

Big-name signatures attracted other big names (with money) to our fundraising page.

(Caution - blatant name-dropping ahead.)

Bill Cosby, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jewel, NFL star Junior Seau, Miss America, President Ford, President Carter and Billy Graham, were among those who supported the cause. With the supreme help of Herb Klein, a well-connected Union-Tribune executive, we sought out the movers and shakers in the San Diego region who put their cash and their signatures on the line.

One year, our "We The People, Declare Reading is Freedom," literacy page brought in $48,000.

In our first year's effort, George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush had signed our double-truck ad. My goal that day was to get Dubya's signature as well.

The candidate was taller than I expected. With a firm handshake, and a few moments of what appeared to be undivided attention, I figured I had him hooked. Using a folksy, approach, I pointed to his parents' signatures and said, "We'd love to include you in this year's fundraising page - if you'll look here, your Dad and Mom signed their names to support literacy last year!"

With our marketing brochures in the hands of his handlers, the only thing I had available to get his signature was one of my business cards. He signed it quickly, then instead of handing it back to me, he did what most people do when handed a business card - he placed it in this inner jacket pocket.

Knowing I'd have to go through reams of red tape if I let him walk away with the coveted signature, I did what any other NIE professional in the country would do: I poked the future President of The United States of America on the arm and firmly yet pleasantly requested my card back. He turned and stared at me like I was confused.

After a moment, he reached back into his jacket, examined the card, front and back, handed me the card, and went on his way.

I held onto that business card as if it were a jackpot lottery ticket. During our meeting, a Union-Tribune photographer snapped a picture and the rest is NIE history.

Politicians raise millions of dollars to fund their campaign coffers. That year, George W. Bush helped to raise money for Newspaper In Education.

The staff of the Albuquerque Publishing Company does an outstanding job working with teachers and students across the state. In New Mexico, thousands of students benefit from this valuable educational resource. Schools get an updated learning tool when their teachers sign up for classroom sets of newspapers. At some point, everyone has learned something by reading a newspaper.

Take a moment and visit www.abqnie.com to learn more and celebrate NIE month.