George and Barbara Bush Foundation

10/03/2026

On October 3, 1990, East and West Germany were formally reunited, marking a historic moment at the end of the Cold War.

President George H.W. Bush was a strong supporter of German reunification and worked closely with Chancellor Helmut Kohl and other world leaders as Europe entered a new era of freedom and cooperation.

Just over a year earlier, in remarks to the citizens of Mainz, Germany, President Bush spoke of his vision for Europe’s future, declaring, “The passion for freedom cannot be denied forever. The world has waited long enough. The time is right. Let Europe be whole and free.”

Today, on the anniversary of German reunification, we remember the leadership, diplomacy, and commitment to freedom that helped make that vision a reality.

10/02/2026

“[George H.W. Bush] is the only man ever elected president by being nice,” his campaign manager, Bob Teeter, once told me.

During my visit to the Bush Presidential Library (George and Barbara Bush Foundation) at Texas A&M University last week, I told stories from my new memoir, THE EDUCATION OF A SENATOR: FROM JFK TO TRUMP, about my twenty months of working with President Bush.

I am among the hundreds who have a stack of handwritten George Bush thank-you notes. He was an excellent executive, giving me free rein to come up with an education plan, to recruit a team, and to help implement it. As president, he set an admirable example, always correct in behavior, self-effacing, and putting the country ahead of himself. He was most comfortable with national security and foreign affairs, and, arguably, no president was better at it. His demeanor and skill in handling the disintegration of the Soviet Union and reunification of Germany, and his decisiveness, combined with restraint in the Gulf War, set a high standard.

He was devoted to Barbara Bush and, when seen up close, good humor ran through their relationship. One evening, the Bushes invited Honey and me to join them at Ford’s Theatre. When we arrived, the Secret Service helped the president out of the limousine, while Barbara remained in the back seat. “I’ll get the door, George,” Barbara said, and helped herself out of the vehicle.

Once, before the president was about to speak, I heard him whisper, “Bar, what should I talk about?” “About five minutes, George,” Barbara Bush replied.

On a bright day in late June 1992, walking across the White House south lawn to an event announcing his “GI Bill for Children” school choice program, Barbara looked at her husband. “George, you have on the wrong coat,” she said. “No one will notice,” the president said. “You go change,” she said.

He walked back to his second-floor White House quarters to find the matching coat while I waited with the First Lady.

In THE EDUCATION OF A SENATOR: FROM JFK TO TRUMP, I paint portraits of the presidents I worked with, tell stories about what I saw behind the scenes, and recount the lessons I learned about American politics and our country’s future.

THE EDUCATION OF A SENATOR is out now from Post Hill Press.

You can use this link to order: https://www.simonandschuster.com/.../Lamar.../9798895656488.

10/02/2026

Last week, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation welcomed former Tennessee Governor and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander for a conversation about his new book, The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump.

Moderated by Foundation CEO Alice Gonzalez Yates, the discussion explored the people, experiences, and lessons that shaped Alexander’s more than six decades in public life, including the mentors who influenced his approach to leadership and public service.

We were glad to welcome Senator Alexander to the Bush Presidential Center for an engaging conversation on leadership, service, and the experiences that shaped his career.

Missed the program? You can watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/fAe2Kh1R-0M

10/01/2026

Put your presidential knowledge to the test at Situation Room Trivia!

Join us for a brain-teasing brunch hour in College Station, presented by the George H.W. Bush Presidential Center. This community trivia event and pop-up shop is the perfect chance to challenge your knowledge, enjoy some friendly competition, and spend the morning at Daisy’s Table.

📅 First Tuesday of each month
October 6, November 3, and December 1
⏰ 10:00–11:30 a.m.
📍 Daisy’s Table inside the James A. Baker, III Pavilion
1000 George Bush Drive West, College Station

Come on your own or bring a team!

09/30/2026

Barbara Bush believed that literacy could change lives, strengthen families and communities, and create greater opportunity across our country. She devoted decades of her life to turning that belief into action.

Today, we’re proud to carry her work forward by announcing $160,000 in Barbara Bush Family Literacy Innovation Grants to four organizations developing approaches to help families learn together—and sharing what they learn to strengthen family literacy across the country.

Congratulations to Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida, Literacy Center of West Michigan, Thorn Hill Education Center, and World Education, a JSI initiative. We look forward to working alongside these organizations as they put their ideas into action and share what they learn with the broader family literacy community.

Learn more about the four projects: https://bush41.org/news/innovation-grants

09/24/2026

Last week, we celebrated the Grand Opening and private afterhours viewing of "E Pluribus Unum: Celebrating the American Experience" with a special evening at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum!

Guests enjoyed an evening of art, music, and community, including a special viewing of the exhibit, a reception, live painting, and performances by Aggieland Mariachi and students from the Texas A&M University College of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts.

Created in honor of America’s semiquincentennial, "E Pluribus Unum" explores the music, food, art, traditions, recreation, and enduring symbols that help tell our nation’s story and reflect the many experiences that make up our shared American identity.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, "E Pluribus Unum" will be on display through May 16, 2027, at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum.

09/22/2026

We were thrilled to cohost an incredible tailgate with The Bush School last Saturday! The George & Barbara Bush Foundation was proud to help bring the Aggie community together for an afternoon of connection, camaraderie, and Aggie spirit ahead of the big game.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the afternoon so memorable. Gig ’em! 👍

09/18/2026

This Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, we're grateful for the partners helping us carry forward Barbara Bush's lifelong commitment to literacy, including our Barbara Bush Fund Advisors.

This group, pictured here with Foundation CEO Alice Gonzalez Yates and Barbara Bush Fund Managing Director Pam Cote, brings deep expertise and experience from across the field to help guide our work. Together, they provide insight on family literacy trends, emerging ideas, and opportunities to strengthen the impact of the Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy nationwide.

We were thrilled to welcome the Fund Advisors to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Center this week. Thank you to Dr. Hope Gerde, Director, Institute for Early Childhood Development & Education, Texas A&M College of Education & Human Development; Dr. Michael Levine, Director, Or Initiative; Alice Rogoff, Founder, CEO, and Publisher, Arctic Today; Dr. Glenda Rose, Director, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning, College of Education and Human Development, Texas A&M University; and Denine Torr, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility & Philanthropy, Dollar General for helping us ensure that Barbara Bush’s passion for literacy continues to impact families across the country for generations to come.

09/17/2026

We are saddened by the passing of Peter Max, the renowned artist and dear friend of President and Mrs. Bush.

Known for his vibrant colors and distinctive artistic vision, Peter brought joy and creativity to the world through his work. We are grateful for his friendship with the Bush family and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were touched by his life and art.

09/14/2026

Join us on Thursday, September 24, at 5:00 p.m. for an evening with former U.S. Senator and Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander as he discusses his new book, The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump.

The program will feature a conversation with Senator Alexander about his decades of public service, the people and experiences that shaped his career, and the lessons he learned along the way.

This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited, so be sure to RSVP in advance at bush41.org/events.

Events Back to Events September 24, 2026 5:00PM - 7:00PM An Evening with Lamar Alexander Thursday, September 24, 2026 5 PM | Reception & Book Signing6 PM | ProgramBook sales available on site. Annenberg Presidential Conference Center 1002 George Bush Drive WestCollege Station, TX 77843Business Casua...