President Young: Remembering George H.W. Bush
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
I write to you today in fond remembrance of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, who was a great friend to Texas A&M University and Aggies everywhere.
The Aggie community sends the Bush family our heartfelt condolences.
President Bush’s passing — as well as the loss of his beloved wife of 73 years, Former First Lady Barbara Bush this past April — certainly has been difficult for all those who knew, loved and admired them.
The values espoused by President Bush during his distinguished military and political careers – love of country and family, and devotion to public service – align with those of Texas A&M.
In 1991, he officially selected our campus as the site for his Presidential Library and Museum, after Texas A&M leadership at the time, along with influential former students, made several presentations to explain why our university would be such a natural fit. The Bushes later said they were convinced by Texas A&M’s proposal to create the Bush School of Government and Public Service, a school that launches more of its graduates into public service than virtually any other school in the nation, a fact of which President Bush was particularly proud.
The Bush School was founded on the President’s philosophy that public service is a noble calling; the school trains graduate students to become principled leaders in their fields. The Bushes visited students at the Bush School numerous times over the last 21 years since opening its classrooms, often posing for photos with graduating classes. They took time to chat and interact with students, who no doubt were inspired to devote their lives to serving the public good.
The Bushes were spotted frequently on the grounds of the Bush Library and Museum. Millions of visitors have come to explore and learn about the life and times of the 41st President, and view memorabilia gathered by both the President and First Lady over their many years of public service.
The interment of President Bush will be Thursday, Dec. 6. He will be buried on the grounds of the George H.W. Bush Library and Museum, beside his beloved wife, Barbara Pierce Bush, who passed away in April, and daughter Robin, who passed away due to leukemia at the age of 3.
All of Texas A&M will be closed on the day of interment; there will be no classes and only essential personnel will be working.
Information on opportunities the public will have to pay their respects or see the motorcade will be forthcoming from university communications, as will details on parts of campus which will be subject to closings in the days leading up to interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
It is nearly impossible to measure the substantial impact that President Bush and his family have had here at Texas A&M and we are honored to give back in such a meaningful way.
I leave you with his words, which I believe encapsulate his legacy at Texas A&M and beyond:
Public Service is a noble calling and we need men and women of character to believe that they can make a difference in their communities, in their states and in their country.
– George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States
Sincerely and with deep condolences,
Michael K. Young
