Dear John,

As we kick off 2025, I am once again reminded of the unique role the Bush Center plays and how we can mobilize all of our platforms to achieve maximum impact.

While the nation swore in a new president and Congress in January, we were hard at work releasing a series of constructive policy recommendations ([link removed]) for federal and state leaders. They tackle issues including housing ([link removed]) , trade policy ([link removed]) , immigration ([link removed]) , educational reform ([link removed]) , and veteran transition ([link removed]) . Globally, we cover the dangerous alliance ([link removed]) between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (CRINK), Russia’s war against Ukraine
([link removed]) , opportunities in Africa ([link removed]) and the Western Hemisphere ([link removed]) , and economic statecraft ([link removed]) .

The recommendations are guided by President and Mrs. Bush’s timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion and are featured in more detail in the winter issue ([link removed]) of The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute.

Our policy work begins at home with ensuring opportunity for all ([link removed]) – making sure that the economy, markets, and the educational system work for everyone. But America must also remain a force for good in the world ([link removed]) , supporting Ukraine’s response to Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion almost three years ago and remaining engaged in Africa, where the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) continues to save millions of lives and serve as a powerful force in deterring authoritarian influence on the continent.

The Bush Center believes that securing democratic values ([link removed]) , encouraging civic participation, and strengthening American institutions are the calling of every citizen. Civility, including civil debate and disagreement, is a cornerstone of a thriving democracy. The American capacity for self-renewal and regeneration is one of the wonders of history, but self-renewal does not happen by itself. It requires concentrated effort and leadership, as well as civic engagement.

Over two days in April, our Forum on Leadership ([link removed]) and Community Conversation ([link removed]) will delve deeper into these issues and celebrate courageous leaders who are making a significant impact on the lives of others. The event will feature sports analyst, former NFL player, author and activist Emmanuel Acho, along with many others.

Separately, our Engage at the Bush Center events ([link removed]) presented by NexPoint, will continue to mix fun and policy work throughout the year.

The spring lineup begins today with “The Six Triple Eight: Quiet Heroism in WWII” ([link removed]) . It’s the incredible story of the 6888th Central Postal Delivery Battalion, World War II’s only Black Women’s Army Corps unit, recently highlighted in a Netflix film. Other programs include “Navigating Turbulence: Senatorial Insights on Geopolitics & Foreign Policy” ([link removed]) with U.S. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma on March 18; “Sunday in the Park with Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush” ([link removed]) , where they will read their new picture book, I Loved You First, in the Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park, with additional support from the family of Susan S. Fischer on March 30; and the Laura Bush Book Club with Amor Towles
([link removed]) , author of the bestselling books A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway, on May 8.

Our Presidential Leadership Scholars and Stand-To Veteran Leadership programs bring together a diverse group of America’s rising leaders and help them hone the skills they need to address today’s – and tomorrow’s – most pressing challenges. They include people like 2021 Veteran Leadership Scholar Dennis Miller, who helped publicize ([link removed]) the story of the 6888th – his grandmother’s unit during WWII.

I’m looking forward to the Bush Museum’s exciting new special exhibit opening in the fall and continuing some of the great new programs the museum launched in 2024, such as tours of the Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park ([link removed]) with support from the family of Susan S. Fischer, and the Situation Room experience ([link removed]) . If you haven’t yet visited the Freedom Matters ([link removed]) special exhibit, it’s been held over until May 31 by popular demand.

You have likely heard that this will be a year of transition at the Bush Center as I prepare to pass the baton to my successor as President and CEO. Until that time, I am committed to making 2025 a phenomenal year of impact, and I hope you will continue to support our work ([link removed]) well into the future. I’m happy to report that we’re firing on all cylinders and doing phenomenally well operationally.

The Bush Center continues to be blessed by a broad base of annual support, for which we thank you. Our leaders of all stripes should remember that public service is a noble calling and that, as President Bush has said, our duty as Americans is to be citizens, not spectators. The Bush Center will keep doing its part, thanks to all of you.

All the best,

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




About the George W. Bush Presidential Center

Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies through policy solutions and public engagement. The Bush Center also houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library, operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, which provides access to official documents and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration. Learn more about the Bush Center at www.bushcenter.org

Was this email forwarded to you by a friend?
Subscribe today to receive updates from the George W. Bush Presidential Center. ([link removed])

George W. Bush Presidential Center
2943 SMU Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75205

Privacy policy (target=&pid=1022&did=0&tab=0)

Email preferences (target=&pid=915&did=0&tab=0)

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
George W. Bush Presidential Center . 2943 SMU Blvd . Dallas, TX 75205-2563 . USA