Mike Conaway: “It is an honor to come down here tonight to speak about Barbara Bush and the Bush family. As my colleague said, I…”

“It is an honor to come down here tonight to speak about Barbara Bush and the Bush family. As my colleague said, I represent Midland and Odessa, two communities that are linked to the Bush legacy through their living in Odessa for a while, then moving to Midland. George W. Bush and I were business partners in the oil business for about 5 years. So while I had limited or no direct contact with his mom, I got to see the product of her childrearing by working with him on a daily basis for 5 years. Mrs. Bush brought to the table that incredibly terrific blend of being a woman who was strong but compassionate, loved her family, stunningly protective of her family, yet steel-willed when she needed to be; didn't suffer fools well when they were doing things that she didn't like, but did it with grace and dignity in ways that all of us should try to aspire to do it. They do leave a legacy in Midland. Midland still considers them their First Family. We have a museum in Odessa commemorating their home from when they lived in Odessa. We also have the Bush home in Midland that has been turned into a museum, and we are working hard to get that moved over to the Parks and Recreation Department so that it can be properly maintained and as a good example.…”