A class act and wonderful First Lady
First Lady Laura Lane Welch Bush, perhaps we’re not all familiar with her full name nor do we all know of all her accomplishments and great tasks she’s undertaken these last eight years and even before. We all however ( or at least 87% according to some polls ) simply adore her and attribute to her such accolades as “classy”, “lovely”, and “a wonderful lady”. So often in politics all we find are phony people who seem to say and do the right things. Never do you see their hair out of place and they always wear the most fashionable clothing not because they honor the position but it’s what one does when one is in certain circles. Not so Laura. Mrs. Bush is definitely genuine, authentic and so good hearted.
To watch her on TV even if in the background of the President you find yourself impressed with her smile and demeanor. On the rare occasions we’ve seen her in an interview we’re glued to the screen much like that commercial years ago where people would stop in their tracks to watch Michael Jordan dazzle the opponent and take a 30 foot jumper. No slam dunk but dazzling just the same, Laura Bush has captured the American peoples love and admiration. No first lady in recent memory invokes such warm thoughts or inspiring visions of “I can do”.
Mrs. Bush has been busy these last eight years and her list of accomplishments is impressive. Bursting on the scene by being the keynote speaker for the 2000 National Republican convention she gained national attention. Her hallmark interests in education and literacy were evidenced by her establishing the annual National Book Festival in 2001. This push has not stopped at the waters edge as she has spread this message worldwide. Laura has also advanced causes for women. The Heart Truth and Susan G. Komen for the cure. She has represented the United States abroad and focused heavily on HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness. In October 2002, she was honored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity for her work in promoting education. The American Library Association honored her for the support she gave to Librarians and America’s libraries in 2005. She also received an award in honor of her work to improve living conditions and education of children around the world from the Kuwait-American Foundation in March of 06. The Nichols-Chancellors Medal on behalf of disaster relief workers around the world in May of 06 from the Vanderbilt University. She was also awarded the 2008 Christian Freedom International Freedom Award. She helped launch the National Anthem Project and in her time as First Lady she was named the Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Decade of Literacy. Not satisfied with just the title she held a world wide conference later that year to promote the cause. Also Laura has had three learning institutions named for her work. Laura Welch Bush Elementary School in Houston Texas, the Laura W. Bush Elementary School near Austin, Texas and the Laura Bush Education Center at Camp Bondsteel, a U.S. military base in Kosovo. It has been obvious where her hearts passion lives. From heart disease to breast cancer and to the children everywhere in the world, Laura Bush has given much effort and stood on the front lines of compassion and hope.
Perhaps she’s captured some hearts with her candor and unwavering love and respect for her husband, her president. When President Bush declared “bring it on” in response to a reporter who asked about the terrorist and possible retaliation. Laura chided the President and let him know that was not the best thing to say. President Bush to his credit acknowledged the reproof and agreed it was not right. She was no less quick to voice her opinion and support when others would question the countries President. When Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked in 2006 why the American people are beginning to lose confidence in President Bush she replied. “Well I don’t think they are. And I don’t really believe those polls.” I travel around the country, I see people, I see their response to my husband, I see their response to me. There are a lot of difficult challenges right now in the United States. All of those decisions that the President has to make surrounding each one of these very difficult challenges are hard. They’re hard decisions to make. And of course some people are unhappy about what some of those decisions are. But I think people know that he is doing what he thinks is right for the United States, and that is to protect them. When his polls were really high they weren’t on the front page.”
Laura Bush is quite the lady, the ambassador, wife, leader and gracious human being. She has represented the American spirit and indeed given it strength. I may not have captured all her essence in this post but I’m sure I’ve got it just about right when I say. ” We the American people say Thank You, we love you, you are God’s Best.”
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