First Lady Melania Trump unveils a postage stamp in honor of the late former First Lady Barbara Bush at the White House.
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00:00Alice Yates and Doral Bush Cook.
00:30Thank you for everyone at the White House for holding this wonderful event and my sincere
00:58gratitude goes out to the First Lady for being our special host today, thank you.
01:13It is an honor to be here with all of you and a privilege to unveil the United States Postal
01:19Service's stamp commemorating the life, memory, and legacy of one of America's most prominent
01:26women, First Lady Barbara Bush.
01:30Today we recognize Mrs. Bush not only as a beloved First Lady but as a remarkable American in
01:37her own right.
01:40She charted a legacy for herself and did it with conviction, determination, and compassion.
01:49Barbara Bush was known for her drive to help others, a drive forged through her own life
01:55experiences and tragedies.
01:58The loss of her daughter Robin to leukemia at the age of three left an indelible mark on
02:04her heart and one that instilled profound empathy for individuals and families marked by illness.
02:13In 1989 Mrs. Bush visited a hospice and cradled a child dying from AIDS.
02:21At that time even touching someone with AIDS was not only stigmatized but feared.
02:28In that moment she encouraged the country to look past the disease and see the suffering child.
02:36In that vision she helped shift people's perceptions about the disease and changed an entire nation's
02:44conversation, one that her son George W. Bush would later continue in his presidency.
02:52In seeing her son Neil's struggle with dyslexia she took on the challenge of illiteracy, a defining
02:59pillar of her social platform.
03:03She established the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in 1989 and championed the National
03:09Literacy Act in 1991.
03:13Through her tenure as First Lady she hosted Mrs. Bush's Storytime, a national radio broadcast
03:19encouraging adults to read aloud to children.
03:24These efforts helped equip young Americans with a core skill needed to succeed in life.
03:30The book she wrote, inspired by her beloved dogs, taught bestseller lists and proceeds were
03:36used to further fund literacy programs.
03:40Her name now graces schools from Texas to Arizona, a children's hospital in Maine, and most proudly
03:46to her literacy plaza in Houston.
03:49All symbols of her lifelong mission to connect families and communities to the power of knowledge.
03:58As you can see, the personal struggles marking Mrs. Bush's life did not harden her.
04:04They inspired her and deepened her connection to the Americans she served.
04:10They revealed what truly matters, family, compassion, and service.
04:17Through those lessons she became a national example of strength, humility, and grace.
04:26Perhaps what Mrs. Bush is most remembered for is her plain-spoken honesty, sharp and often
04:32self-deprecating sense of humor and authenticity.
04:36She never pretended to be someone she wasn't.
04:40She spoke her mind, laughed at herself, and stayed grounded, even as history unfolded around
04:46her.
04:47Her legacy lives on, not just in the buildings that bear her name, but in the lives changed
04:53through education, in the compassion that she modeled, and in the lessons that she left
04:58behind.
05:00In a moment, we will unveil the First Class Male Forever stamp honoring First Lady Barbara
05:05Bush.
05:06The image, which is a detail from her official White House portrait, shows Mrs. Bush wearing
05:11one of her signature multi-strand pearl necklaces.
05:14Her portrait, an oil-on-canvas painting, was created in 1995 by artist Shays Fagan, who famously
05:22painted oil portraits of all 45 U.S. presidents.
05:27First Lady Barbara Bush represented the very best of America.
05:31We are so proud to honor her life and her many contributions to our great nation with this
05:37beautiful piece of art.
05:41And now, the moment we've all been waiting for.
05:43Mrs. Yates, Mrs. Cook, will you do the honors, please?
05:48Mrs. Trump?
05:51Okay, everyone, are we ready?
05:53One, two, three.
06:07On behalf of the United States Postal Service, I am pleased to commemorate her legacy of service
06:33to our nation through the First Lady Barbara Bush postage stamp, and it is now my pleasure
06:38to introduce Alice Yates, the Chief Executive Officer of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation.
06:52What a special opportunity for family, friends, and loved ones, former staff members to gather
07:01here and honor First Lady Barbara Bush, wow, that's really beautiful, here at the White
07:07House.
07:08Mrs. Trump, your kindness and generous hospitality is so appreciated.
07:14Our thanks to Judy, the kind introduction, and your remarks were just so lovely.
07:19And all the men and women of the United States Postal Service, thank you for recognizing Mrs.
07:24Bush in such a meaningful way during her centennial year.
07:29I can only imagine, and we talked about it a little bit, the memories that are flooding
07:34the minds of the members of the Bush family.
07:36To be back here in the White House, to reflect on your mother, on your Ghani, your beloved friend,
07:43your mentor, how nostalgic it must feel.
07:47And what a privilege to join you for an honor such as this.
07:52I want to take a moment to recognize President and Mrs. Bush's son, Neal, and daughter, Doro
07:58Bush Cook.
08:00You along with your siblings know best that George H.W. Bush was the love of Barbara Bush's
08:06life.
08:07A love so evident they lived out 73 years of marriage.
08:14And many would say that there wouldn't be a President George H.W. Bush if it wasn't for
08:19Barbara Bush.
08:20So we know that.
08:22In fact, as your father did so well, and he wrote in a letter, he said, you have given
08:29me joy that few men know.
08:32He wrote, I have climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, but even that cannot
08:37hold a candle to being Barbara's husband.
08:41She was by her husband's side throughout his historic public service career, culminating
08:48with his elections as Vice President, ultimately President of the United States.
08:53Barbara Bush was well prepared for life as America's First Lady.
08:57And as First Lady, you heard so many of the amazing accomplishments, but she was a powerful
09:02force for change, always.
09:04One of her most enduring contributions was her tireless advocacy for literacy, believing in
09:10her words that education is a civil right, no matter one's age.
09:15She played a key role, as you mentioned, in behind the scenes for the National Literacy
09:20Act, the bipartisan passage of that legislation.
09:23And this legislation elevated the needs of adult learners, which was often an overlooked group,
09:29and firmly placed literacy at the heart of American policy.
09:33So today's event is a reminder.
09:36It reminds us of her inspiring legacy of integrity, grace, service, grit.
09:44And at the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, it's our honor every day.
09:47We are dedicated to preserving the legacy of President and Mrs. Bush, carrying forward their
09:53selfless service and commitment to traditional American values.
09:58So whether through our guests at the Presidential Library and Museum, the students at the Bush
10:02School of Government and Public Service, or through the literacy education programs throughout
10:08the nation, every day that we collectively share the legacy of George and Barbara Bush with
10:16others is a good day for our country.
10:19So thank you for that opportunity today and for joining us in that effort through this beautiful
10:26tribute to First Lady Barbara Bush.
10:29We look forward to the first day of issue, June 10th, and the continued impact that we will
10:34see as a new generation experiences someone that is held so beloved for all of us that are
10:41here today, First Lady Barbara Bush.
10:44It's now my honor to introduce the beloved daughter of George and Barbara Bush, Dora Bush
10:49Cook.
10:52Thank you so much, Alice.
10:59Mrs. Trump, Mrs. DeTorek, distinguished guests, thank you for being part of this special day.
11:07Mrs. Trump, we are so grateful to you for hosting us at the White House on this momentous occasion.
11:14Being here brings back so many memories for me and my family.
11:20My mom always loved to come back and visit, and I know she's watching over us today and
11:26reminding me to keep these remarks short.
11:31Thank you to the Postal Service.
11:33The stamp perfectly captures mom's poise and dignity.
11:38My mom would be so happy that she is featured with her favorite portrait by the great American
11:45artist Chas Fagan, who is here today.
11:49I'd also like to thank our friend Stuart McLaurin and the White House Historical Association for
11:55all they've done to support today's event.
11:59Their work is so important to keeping the White House and its amazing history available for all Americans.
12:08Barbara Bush, known to many as Mom, Ganny, the Silver Fox, or most famously in our family,
12:17the Enforcer, will forever be remembered for her strength, abounding love for family, quick wit,
12:25and deep commitment to literacy.
12:28At just 16 years old, Mom met the only man she would ever kiss.
12:40I watched Susan Ford, and I saw her burst into tears when her mother's stamp was unveiled.
12:46And I said, I'm not going to do that.
12:47Oh, my God.
12:48But anyway, let's see.
12:53Okay, the only man she would ever kiss at a school dance.
13:00Two years later, she was engaged to George H.W. Bush, beginning a partnership that would span
13:07decades and help shape history.
13:10Little did she know the adventures ahead.
13:14Life with George Bush was never boring.
13:18Mom lived through six children, 21 grandchildren, at least 27 moves from California to China, seven
13:27wars, three dress sizes, two governors, seven parachute jumps, and two presidents.
13:36When she became First Lady, she transformed the White House into a true home.
13:41She hosted hundreds of guests, regularly invited our children and her grandchildren for sleepovers,
13:48and even welcomed six spirited springer spaniels into the mix.
13:55Mom told her staff she wanted to do something every day to help others.
13:59So that's what she did.
14:01She scheduled many events and visits that highlighted a need, helped encourage volunteerism, or focused
14:08on literacy.
14:09Her signature cause was literacy.
14:13She believed that all of the problems in the world would be solved if every man, woman,
14:20and child could read, write, and comprehend.
14:24In one defining moment, Mom helped shift the national dialogue around HIV-AIDS.
14:31During a visit to Grandma's House Hospice in Washington, D.C., she cradled baby Donovan, an infant with HIV,
14:39at a time when fear and stigma were rampant, that simple, compassionate act captured in a photo
14:47that made national headlines, spoke louder than words ever could.
14:53Mom was never one to shy away from speaking the truth or taking a stand.
14:58Her 1990 commencement speech at Wellesley College, initially met with resistance, went on to
15:05become one of the most celebrated speeches of the 20th century.
15:11In it, she encouraged graduates to pursue meaningful relationships over material success, saying,
15:17At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning
15:24one more verdict, or not closing one more deal.
15:28You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent.
15:36With her signature white hair and pearls, she became an icon in her own right.
15:42And yet, even as a former first lady, she remained humble and humorous.
15:47When recognized at Sam's Club in Houston, she'd often respond,
15:52No, I'm much younger and prettier.
15:57Our family is immeasurably blessed to call Barbara Bush our mom.
16:02Her legacy lives on, not only in history books, but in the hearts of everyone she touched.
16:08It's unlikely that mom ever pictured herself on a postage stamp.
16:14And it's very likely that she would be wondering what all this fuss is about today.
16:20But on behalf of my entire family, I can assure you that we are all very proud and grateful
16:26for this special tribute.
16:29It is now my privilege and honor to introduce the First Lady of the United States, Melania
16:35Trump.
16:53Welcome, everyone, and welcome Bush family.
16:57It's nice to have you here.
16:59Thank you, Dora, for a beautiful introduction.
17:03And welcome back to the White House as we honor the life and legacy of your mother, First Lady
17:10Barbara Bush.
17:12Barbara's unwavering conviction, dignity, and deeply loyal to her loved ones have left an undeliable
17:22mark on our hearts and history.
17:26Your mother's values can be seen in her family, friends, and former staff who also join us here
17:32today and continue her legacy.
17:36Many thanks to Alice Yates, CEO of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, for joining us today.
17:44Along with the Barbara Bush Foundation, for family literacy, you are helping current and future
17:51generations to navigate the world with confidence and dignity.
17:57And I would like to thank the White House Historical Association and the United States Postal Service,
18:05especially Judy DeToroc, who made today's event possible.
18:16Strong American families are the foundation of a healthy society and serve as a stepping stone towards building a better world.
18:26The dynamics within American households shape our nation's core values, strengths, and collective wisdom.
18:35It is within the privacy of our homes and the principles of morality, ambition, and empathy take root.
18:44The family unit serves as our first line of foresight, often more influential than the decision made in Washington, D.C.
18:54Barbara Bush's iconic commencement address at Wellesley College in 1990 remains an important moment
19:04in the conversation surrounding women's role in society.
19:08Her message, which emphasized the importance of family and personal integrity, encouraged women to carve their own paths in life.
19:20Mrs. Bush's exclaimed,
19:21Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens inside your house.
19:34The First Lady further inspired the audience by highlighting the importance of pursuing personal dreams, stating,
19:43The winner of the hoop race will be the first to realize her dream, not society dreams, her own personal dream.
19:53Who knows?
19:55Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps and preside over the White House.
20:04And I wish him well.
20:06Over 35 years have passed since Barbara Bush made a call for a female American president, a reflection of her forward-thinking vision.
20:19As a devoted mother, and one of only two First Ladies who has son also ascended to the presidency,
20:27she embodied the complex interplay of ambition and identity that defies us all.
20:36Mrs. Bush's legacy is marked by her respect for tradition, while also breaking with convention.
20:43While she is known for championing literacy, she also supported women's empowerment,
20:50changed the national conversation on AIDS, and took a stance supporting gay rights.
20:57I applaud Mrs. Bush's mark defending our society's vital need for women across all avenues, whether CEO or homemaker.
21:07We have, can, and will build better families and run innovative businesses at the same time,
21:16ultimately shaping a brighter future.
21:19The unveiling of this commemorative stamp honors Barbara Bush's contributions as First Lady
21:26and her enduring impact on our nation.
21:30May this tribute inspire us to lead with compassion, act with strength, and uphold the values that direct us toward meaningful existence.
21:55Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats until the First Lady departs the East Room.