Campus Life

Mike Pence, Former Vice Presidents Cheney And Quayle Visit Texas A&M

The George and Barbara Bush Foundation on Texas A&M’s campus featured a keynote address from Vice President Mike Pence and recollections of George H.W. Bush from Dick Cheney and Dan Quayle.
By Sam Peshek, Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications April 5, 2019

Vice President Mike Pence and former Vice Presidents Dick Cheney and Dan Quayle discussed the modern presidency and shared memories of President George H.W. Bush Friday night at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Center on Texas A&M’s campus.

The historic, invitation-only event hosted by the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, “An Inside Look at the American Vice Presidency” was the first major event to take place at the Bush Center since the former president was laid to rest in December 2018.

Prior to the event, Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence, Cheney and Quayle visited George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush’s grave site on the grounds of the library to pay their respects.

Vice President Pence said during his keynote address that President Bush “set the gold standard for the modern vice presidency.”

“This nation owes an extraordinary debt to the life and service of Vice President and President George Herbert Walker Bush,” Vice President Pence said. “I am in debt as well for his kindness and his inspiration and his example.”

Former ABC News White House Correspondent Ann Compton moderated a discussion on the evolving vice presidency between former Vice President Cheney and former Vice President Quayle. She also joined filmmaker Jeffrey Roth in giving a sneak preview of his upcoming documentary “President in Waiting,” which features interviews from Pence, Quayle, Cheney and all living former Presidents and Vice Presidents, and examines the evolution of the modern vice presidency.

During his discussion with Compton, Quayle said President George H.W. Bush was clear about his expectations for being second in command.

“He told me there is only two things about being Vice President,” Quayle said. “One: be prepared. Be in all of the meetings so you can be prepared if something does happen. Number two: loyalty. He made sure I was prepared and he expected loyalty. The relationship he had with Ronald Reagan was very similar to the relationship I had with him.”

Guests in attendance included U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, George H.W. Bush post-presidency Chief of Staff Jean Baker, ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance, former George W. Bush Chief of Staff Andrew Card, Texas A&M System Board of Regents Chair Charles Schwartz, Texas A&M President Michael K. Young and former Texas A&M President Ray Bowen.

Media contact: Sam Peshek, sam.peshek@tamu.edu.

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