We live in changing times, and the George W. Bush Presidential Center aims to be a rational voice supporting timeless compassionate conservative values. In 2023, we amplified that voice.

Our job here is to provide sensible solutions and model civility and compassion both at home and abroad. Using America’s soft power diminishes extremism, which is bred by poverty and despair.

Take for example a signature program from the Bush Administration – the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This became the most successful and compassionate humanitarian program ever implemented in the world. We celebrated the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR in 2023 and marked the milestone of 25 million lives saved, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. The program now operates in more than 50 countries, where it has saved lives and reduced political instability.

Our work to advance free societies also includes combating corruption and kleptocracy globally, championing political dissidents around the world, advocating for economic freedom, drawing attention to disinformation and misinformation, and calling out autocrats, particularly those in Russia and China. America may not always get things right, but our voice is needed now more than ever. If we retreat from our global leadership position, the void will be filled by bad actors. Instability will result.

Our efforts to ensure good governance abroad must start here at home. It is impossible to project our values around the world if we don’t have our act together. This is why the Bush Center led 12 other presidential centers and foundations in September in issuing a statement reaffirming the democratic principles of this country. We continue to urge Americans of all persuasions to strengthen our democracy by exercising civility and showing respect in political discourse. We’re proud of our leadership programming, which brings together changemakers from across the country and political spectrum to solve pressing challenges.

Our domestic opportunity focus area also demonstrates our compassion, as we work to level the playing field for all. This includes veterans and transitioning service members, schoolchildren who must be adequately prepared for the 21st century job market, and immigrants who legally seek freedom on these shores as they flee injustice, oppression, poverty, and violence. Our economic growth series demonstrates how cities and states can best position themselves to be springboards for success.

We also proudly grew our engagement in 2023. We completed updates to the George W. Bush Presidential Museum, with an emphasis on PEPFAR and the post-presidency work of President and Mrs. Bush.

Our special exhibit, Freedom Matters, allows visitors to examine the concept of freedom. Engagement is growing across all our platforms, from our museum attendance to our publications like The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute and The Strategerist podcast to our Engage at the Bush Center lecture series presented by NexPoint.

Our work continues to be extremely relevant in today’s world, and it wouldn’t be possible without your help. Thank you for all you do to support President and Mrs. Bush’s values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. Together, we can pave the way to a better future for our nation and world.

Best regards,



Ken Hersh
President and CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center