Chuck Norris To Receive McLane Leadership Award

George Bush, 41st President of the United States, will present the McLane Leadership in Business Award to Chuck Norris in recognition of Mr. Norris’s achievements as a martial arts legend, entrepreneur and humanitarian. The event on Tuesday, March 31, will begin at 6 p.m. in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the George Bush Presidential Library Center at Texas A&M University. Autographed copies of Mr. Norris’s most recent book, “Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America,” will be available for purchase at the event.

The McLane Award is co-sponsored by the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation and the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and serves to recognize the role of prominent individuals for their outstanding contributions in business and public service. The program and award are made possible through an endowment gift from Drayton McLane, owner of the Houston Astros. In addition, Compass Bank is helping to underwrite this year’s event.

A six-time undefeated World Professional Middle Weight Karate Champion, Chuck Norris holds the ranking of an eight-degree Black Belt Grand Master. As a martial arts instructor and advocate, he created the KICKSTART program with the help of President Bush. Focused on character-building and life-skills development in youth, KICKSTART has positively impacted more than 60,000 young people since its inception in 1990, and many of the students have gone on to attend college. Mr. Norris hopes to expand the program nationwide.

As a popular actor worldwide, Chuck Norris starred in the CBS television series, “Walker, Texas Ranger,” for eight seasons. Still seen by an estimated one billion viewers, the television program airs daily in the United States and many other countries worldwide. Mr. Norris has also appeared in films such as “Delta Force,” “Missing in Action,” “Lone Wolf McQuade” and “Sidekicks.”

Mr. Norris served as an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force and has devoted a great amount of time to visiting hospitalized and active troops. He has served as spokesperson for he U.S. Veterans Administration and is a Veteran Foundation’s Veteran of the Year Award recipient. In 2007, he was made an honorary member of the United States Marine Corps in recognition of his visits to troops in Iraq.

Norris is also a New York Times bestselling author and nationally syndicated columnist. His autobiographical “Against All Odds: My Story” was published in 2004, and his first book of social commentary, “Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America,” was published in 2008. This newest book provides his blueprint for the nation’s return to its hard-working, pro-family roots.

Chuck Norris is the subject of countless Paul Bunyan-type fictional “facts” created by fans. It is estimated that there are more than 600,000 such “facts” circulating on the Internet, with one “fact-generating site” receiving as many as 18 million visits a month.

The McLane Award presentation is a ticketed event. Free tickets are are available at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the MSC Box Office at Texas A&M University, the Bryan-College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Eagle, KBTX-TV and WTAW. Please do not bring personal belongings such as bags, backpacks and cameras.