Some of the Heroes Respond:

May 9, 2001

Thank you for sending me a copy of the book, 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet! I am pleased to have been included with so many well-respected Americans.

With warm best wishes,
Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter

May 16, 2001

Mrs. Parks was very happy to receive a copy of your new book, 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet, as a token of your appreciation. She is in the process of reading it and is flattered to be featured alongside so many influential Americans. As you probably know, Mrs. Parks is a very humble woman, and does not think of herself as a "hero." She says that she just did what she had to do. It was an effort accomplished by many community heroes working together to improve society.

Mrs. Parks continues today to do what she feels is necessary to help youth, seniors and communities through the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development that she co-founded with Elaine Eason Steele in 1987.

As you said, it is critical to help children of all ages find real heroes. Mrs. Parks strongly believes in the importance of exposing children to positive role models. The youth need to look up to all who have had the courage to stand for what they believe, no matter what the cost may have been.

Again, Mrs. Parks would like to thank you for your efforts to empower today's youth and also for the beautiful book.

Sincerely,

Shana Henry,

Administrative Assistant

May 25, 2001

Thank you very much for including me in your wonderful book, 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet. I certainly don't consider myself a hero and I appreciate being mentioned in the same publication as Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton and George Washington Carver to name a few.

Throughout my career I have always enjoyed my interaction with the fans and serving as a role model for kids. It is a large responsibility but it comes with the territory and if I can make a positive influence on a young person, that's great.

Now I continue to work with kids through Cal Ripken Baseball, a division of Babe Ruth Baseball. When the league first named its largest division after me it was overwhelming, however, I now view it as an outstanding opportunity. In addition, my brother and I are currently building a state of the art youth baseball academy in our hometown of Aberdeen, MD. Our goal is to tech kids how to play the game of baseball and have fun doing it. It is an exciting project and is currently under construction.

Again, thank you for your kind words and I wish you all the best with this worthwhile project.

Sincerely,

Cal Ripken, Jr.