CAROL RASCO, the longtime Arkansan friend-of-Bill who heads the America Reads initiative from an office in the Education Department, says $5 million a year is not enough to co-opt the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) and redirect its primary focus from adults to children.

IN HOUSTON OCT. 23, Rasco was briefing attendees at the Literacy Volunteers of America conference on the ins and outs of the new Reading Excellence Act (story, p. 165). RLP asked her if the $5 million the NIFL will get through the act to disseminate information about reading instruction might divert it from its primary mission.

RASCO SMILED as she recounted how often the NIFL staff has reminded her that literacy is not just for kids, and she said NIFL Director Andy Hartman has insisted that "a measly $5 million" will not turn their heads.

* * *

WE REMINDED RASCO that in 1991 Congress established the NIFL outside of the Education Department partly to insulate it from influence by the Bush administration. We asked if that special status is ruffling any feathers in the Clinton administration now that Congress has given the NIFL a big role in the new reading program.

"NO, NO, NO," Rasco insisted, surprised by the implication. "When [Rep. Bill] Goodling indicated that he would really like to have the dissemination mechanism outside the department and with the institute, we were thrilled."

* * *

THE LVA tried to pay tribute to Barbara Bush Oct. 21 for her long-time support for literacy, but she and her husband paid tributes of their own.

AS HE INTRODUCED HIS WIFE, former President George Bush said all who toil in the literacy vineyards are "shining points of light."

BARBARA BUSH SAID, "Each of you has a very special gift to give: the gift of reading. Few gifts are more precious. No other gift strengthens the mind and nourishes the soul like reading does. No other gift gives rise to our dreams.

"SO GEORGE AND I both wish you luck in your work, both in your meeting this week and beyond. And if you listen closely, I hope you'll hear our voices rooting you on from the sidelines."