Len Cannon, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Peyton Manning
Two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Peyton Manning was also on hand. Country music legend Lee Greenwood performed his iconic song, “Proud to Be an American.”
The celebration of Bush’s “selfless service, kindness, and civility, which serves as an inspiration for the leaders of tomorrow” was the largest so-called Presidential Salute yet, said a rep for the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. Some 600 guests were in attendance, helping raise a whopping $1 million.
In her remarks to the crowd as part of a panel moderated by KHOU anchor Len Cannon, “Rice reflected on the Bushes’ legacy, noting that people love the Bushes because they loved people and that they treated others with respect and honor,” said the foundation rep. “Manning said mentors like President and Mrs. Bush, who give back to the community and ‘walk the walk,’ make it easy to follow in their footsteps.”
Another memorable moment came when Pierce Bush, grandson of the former president and first lady, toasted his grandparents, reading from a handwritten note to him from his granddad. The note referenced going fishing on one of the president’s boats, which was auctioned off as part of the evening’s fundraising efforts. An anonymous buyer picked up the 2011 speed boat for $435,000.
Dinner was fit for a president, too. Maine lobster bisque was followed by hibiscus-glazed short rib, with Mastro’s famous butter cake as the wow-factor dessert. Fabulous wine pairings included Cellier des Chartreux Sauvignon Blanc “Blue” 2022 and Smith Devereux “IBEX” Merlot 2019.
Andrea Gaston, Mary Carrida, Mary Kate Cary, Rob Cary
Betty Welsh, Christi Voelkel, Neil Bush, Mark Welsh, Tyson Voelkel
Brenda Mahoney, Jason Mahoney, Jayton Rainey, Melanie Toler
Brenda Robinson, Jean Becker, Neil Bush, Becky Russell, Elizabeth Russell Latham, Garrett Latham
Bush Foundation CEO, Honorable Andrew H. Card, Jr.
Evan Lee, Lisa Lee, Pierce Bush
Garrett Latham, Elizabeth-Russell Latham
Harriet McClure, Dr. Frank B. Ashley III, Fred McClure
Hunter Goodwin, Harriet McClure, Amber Goodwin
Irina Borovaya, Andrey Drozdov, Pierce Bush, Richard Zientek, Leslie Zientek
Tyson Voelkel, Christi Voelkel, Dr. Frank B. Ashley III, Janice Ashley
Lee Greenwood
