Obamas to Attend Dedication of George W. Bush Presidential Center
President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will attend the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, on the April 25, the White House has confirmed.
"It's difficult to fully comprehend what it's like to serve as President of the United States unless you've done it – and President Obama has developed a good relationship with both President George W. Bush and President George H.W. Bush," Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman told Time. "He has routinely expressed his deep appreciation for the 43rd President's commitment to this country we love, and is looking forward to returning to Texas later this month."
"President and Mrs. Obama and former presidents and their spouses are invited to participate in this special ceremony," says the center on its website.
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George W. Bush's parents, George H.W. and Barbara Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are expected to attend. It will be the first time the five presidents will be together since shortly before Obama's inauguration in 2009, according to Time.
The Bush Center's 226,000-square-foot building and 15-acre urban park reside on the SMU campus. The center is home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the George W. Bush Institute.
"President and Mrs. Bush founded the Bush Center to continue their work expanding freedom at home and around the globe," the website says.
Built with private donations, the Bush Presidential Library and Museum – the 13th presidential library in the National Archives and Records Administration system – opens to the public on May 1.
Bush Library officials anticipate about a half-million visitors in its first year, and SMU sees it as an opportunity.
"SMU is going to be introduced to the world, to a lot of the world, for the first time," Brad Cheves, vice president for development and external affairs, told The Dallas Morning News. "The fact that it is happening on our campus at the Bush Center is something that will bring a lot of attention to our university."
