Emma E. Booker Elementary School

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Emma E. Booker Elementary School is an elementary school in Sarasota, Florida which opened in the fall of 1989. It is named for Emma E. Booker, an African-American educator who founded the first black school in Sarasota County, Florida.

Visit from President Bush


The school received international attention following a visit by United States President George W. Bush on the morning of September 11, 2001. It was at the school that Bush learned of the second plane crashing into the World Trade Center, and where he made his first public comments about the September 11 attacks.

Report of Attacks
The first plane crash at the World Trade Center happened about ten minutes before the president arrived at the school. A press pool photographer heard a radio message that Ari Fleischer would be needed to answer questions about a "crash" and that there was a call on hold from Condoleezza Rice. Bush entered the second-grade classroom of Sandra Kay Daniels where he introduced the class to Education Secretary Rod Paige and shook hands with Mrs. Daniels, then he and the teacher sat down facing the seated students to read The Pet Goat.

At about 9:05 AM White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card whispered into Bush's ear that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center. Bush appeared tense but continued to listen for several minutes while the children read in unison through the story, sometimes repeating lines to meet Mrs. Daniels' standards. The reading concluded with the phrase "more to come" and Bush asked the class, "What does that mean - 'more to come'?" After a student replied, he praised the students' reading skills and encouraged them to continue practicing, before he excused himself and left the room.

After Learning of Attacks
Bush was scheduled for a short press conference in the school library after the classroom visit. This was delayed by several minutes. When Bush appeared, he announced "This is a difficult moment for America," and instead of the planned topic, addressed the country for several minutes about the plane crashes and the government's immediate response. He then left the school for Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.