Bush to honor slain leader at Houston school

President-elect Bush

AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) -- President-elect George W. Bush will pay tribute Monday to the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a visit to a Houston, Texas, school.

Bush, due to become the nation's 43rd president on Saturday, will speak at Houston's Kelso Elementary School, aides said. He will commemorate the slain civil rights leader's birthday and discuss the incoming administration's education agenda.

Accompanying him will be Rod Paige, an African American who is the Houston Independent School District's superintendent and is in line to become education secretary in Bush's Cabinet.

When asked if Bush will try to reach out to African Americans, who voted overwhelmingly for opponent Al Gore, Bush's designated press secretary Ari Fleischer said, "His remarks are going to be talking about the powerful and important role that Martin Luther King played in changing America."

Bush looks to Washington

Fleischer also said bringing about racial progress is an ongoing struggle, no matter who is president of the United States.

"He is committed to it," said Fleischer.

Kelso Elementary has a student population that is about two-thirds black and one-third Hispanic and includes a few Asian and white pupils, according to the school district.

Bush spent his last weekend before becoming president at his secluded ranch near Crawford, Texas. Aides say he packed, relaxed and granted a few interviews to members of the press.

On Wednesday, Bush will travel to Washington by way of Midland, Texas, the childhood home for him and his wife, Laura.

"He will talk about and connect some of the things he learned growing up -- the values of Midland, the types of things he learned that have made him who he is today -- and what those mean for the future of how he will govern and for the presidency," Fleischer said.

CNN White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace andReuters contributed to this report.