The Celebration

On February 15, 2024, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation hosted its annual Presidential Salute at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. Maria and Neil Bush, Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, and Doro Bush Koch and Bobby Koch were the honorary chairs. Lisa and Ryan Lance and Becky and B. Don Russell cochaired the sold-out event. Dr. Condoleezza Rice, 66th U.S. Secretary of State, and Peyton Manning, two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, five-time NFL MVP, and Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, were the special guest speakers. Len Cannon, KHOU 11 news anchor, served as host. The Presidential Salute is a celebration of President George H.W. Bush’s legacy of selfless service, kindness, and civility, which serves as an inspiration for the leaders of tomorrow.

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Each year, the Presidential Salute is celebrated around Presidents Day. This year, it took on greater meaning as the event is part of the Bush Foundation’s centennial programming to highlight President Bush’s extraordinary life and achievements throughout a year-and-a-half-long period. 41@100: A Celebration of George H.W. Bush honors what would have been President Bush’s 100th birthday on June 12, 2024. The centennial festivities will culminate in a three-day celebration from June 11 to 13, 2024, at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

  

The Story

This year’s event was the largest Presidential Salute in the tradition’s history with over 600 guests in attendance. It also served as the kickoff for the upcoming centennial commemoration. Upon arrival, guests were invited to peruse the silent auction items featuring unique Bush Family memorabilia. Other offerings included a trip to Kennebunkport, Maine, one of President Bush’s favorite vacation spots; a Houston Astros package with a bat signed by President Bush; an exclusive “State Dinner”; and VIP tours of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Center in College Station, Texas. They then sat down to a multi-course dinner with superb wine pairings inspired by historic White House dinners and luncheons hosted by President and Mrs. Bush. The meal began with a cheese and charcuterie plate and Maine lobster bisque, followed by hibiscus-glazed short ribs; and culminated in a rich butter cake from Mastro’s. The exciting live auction, led by auctioneer Randolph Holford, brought the celebratory evening to a close. It culminated in the sale of one of President Bush’s famous speedboats, donated by Barbara and Joe Wortley, which was onsite for the occasion.

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Moments

Honorable Andrew H. Card, Jr., CEO of the Bush Foundation, welcomed everyone and reminded them that, “Everything in the past is in the Bush Library and everything in the future is in the Bush School.” Dr. Frank B. Ashley III Interim Dean, The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University, followed the welcome with the invocation. Cannon welcomed the distinguished panel and friends of 41, Rice and Manning, who were given a standing ovation. Both shared stories of how they met President and Mrs. Bush as well as the way in which President Bush’s dedication to public service continues to inspire them. Pierce Bush gave a touching toast honoring his grandparents and read a short excerpt of a letter his grandfather hand wrote to him when he was born. In the letter, President Bush said he looked forward to the future when he and Pierce would go fishing on the boat — the same boat that was auctioned that evening. Country music legend Lee Greenwood paid a musical tribute to President Bush with a rendition of Proud to be an American, which brought the crowd to their feet.

The $1 million raised will go toward preserving the historic legacies of President and Mrs. Bush by supporting and promoting education and service-oriented programs at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University.

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About The George & Barbara Bush Foundation

The mission of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation is to strive to preserve the historic legacies of President and Mrs. Bush primarily by supporting and promoting education and service-oriented programs at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University. The Foundation, in partnership with the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University, organizes and sponsors programs inspired by President and Mrs. Bush that highlight the value and virtue of public service in its many forms.