By: Ratliff S.C.R. No. 46 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas takes great 1-2 pride in recognizing the Honorable George Herbert Walker Bush, an 1-3 outstanding Texan and former President of the United States; and 1-4 WHEREAS, An exceptionally distinguished statesman and revered 1-5 politician, George Bush is one of our state's most beloved leaders; 1-6 a highly respected man of vision and determination, President Bush 1-7 has served our state and nation with an eloquent voice and 1-8 dedication; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Yale University, 1-10 President Bush was a decorated naval pilot, who flew torpedo 1-11 bombers during World War II; after moving to Texas, he worked in 1-12 the oil business before embarking on a career in public service; 1-13 and 1-14 WHEREAS, George Bush's exceptional career in politics began 1-15 in 1963 with his election as chairman of the Harris County 1-16 Republican Party; he served two terms in the United States House of 1-17 Representatives, was the United States Ambassador to the United 1-18 Nations, and in 1976, became the Director of the Central 1-19 Intelligence Agency; he served as Vice President under Ronald 1-20 Reagan from 1981 to 1989; and 1-21 WHEREAS, George Bush was elected 41st President of the United 1-22 States on November 8, 1988, and served from 1989 to 1993; during 1-23 his tenure, he successfully fought for, and signed into law, such 2-1 landmark civil rights and environmental legislation as the 2-2 Americans with Disabilities Act and the Clean Air Act; and 2-3 WHEREAS, President Bush was only the second American 2-4 President to serve a full term without party control in either 2-5 chamber of Congress and was the first Vice President to ascend 2-6 directly to the presidency since Martin van Buren; while he was 2-7 President, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany reunified, the Soviet 2-8 Union was replaced with a democratic Russia, and an international 2-9 coalition force liberated Kuwait from Iraq; and 2-10 WHEREAS, A highly resourceful and gifted individual, 2-11 President Bush has continued to serve his state and nation with 2-12 diligence since leaving office; he is chairman of the Eisenhower 2-13 Exchange Fellowship, honorary chairman of the Points of Light 2-14 Foundation, and a member of the Board of Visitors at The University 2-15 of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; he focuses much of 2-16 his time and energy on the completion of the George Bush 2-17 Presidential Library at Texas A&M University; and 2-18 WHEREAS, Today, President Bush's numerous philanthropic 2-19 endeavors illustrate his patriotism, his generosity, and his deeply 2-20 rooted concern for his fellowman; he and his wife, Barbara, have 2-21 helped to support more than 100 charitable organizations in their 2-22 community and around the country, from fighting drug abuse to 2-23 promoting literacy; and 2-24 WHEREAS, President Bush has received a number of honorary 2-25 degrees since his retirement from public service and has been 3-1 honored by countries around the globe, such as Kuwait, the United 3-2 Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Nicaragua, Poland, and 3-3 Saudi Arabia; and 3-4 WHEREAS, A devoted family man of high moral principles, 3-5 George Bush is beloved and respected by citizens across our state 3-6 and nation; President and Mrs. Bush have been married 51 years and 3-7 have been blessed with five children, George W., Jeb, Neil, Marvin, 3-8 and Doro, and 14 grandchildren; and 3-9 WHEREAS, Still a giant in the State of Texas and a nationally 3-10 and internationally acclaimed figure, George Bush is a mentor and 3-11 friend to some of the most prominent individuals in government 3-12 today, and our state and country continue to benefit immeasurably 3-13 from his wisdom, strength, and leadership; now, therefore, be it 3-14 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 3-15 hereby pay tribute to President George Bush on his exceptional 3-16 public service and express its deep admiration of him by 3-17 authorizing the commission of a bust of this outstanding Texan and 3-18 41st President of the United States and have it placed in the Seal 3-19 Court of the Capitol Extension along with other great Texas heroes; 3-20 and, be it further 3-21 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for 3-22 President Bush as an expression of highest esteem from the Texas 3-23 Senate.