Laura Bush: Education must move forward

Laura Bush

NEW YORK (CNN) -- First lady Laura Bush was in New York Tuesday for an education event she had scheduled months ago and decided to honor despite the terrorist attacks.

She said she feels it is important to continue promoting education and community involvement.

"As we recover from this tragedy," Bush said, "our lives have changed forever, but our purpose as educators and volunteers has not changed."

After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the audience held a moment of silence for victims of the terrorist attacks. Folk singer Pete Seeger then led everyone in singing Woody Guthrie's famous song, "This Land is Your Land."

The event was a meeting of Learning Leaders, a group of volunteers and parents who work in the city's public schools. In her brief remarks, Bush hailed the teachers in schools near the World Trade Center "heroes" for shepherding their children to safety the day of the attacks.