HRES 520119th CongressIn Committee

Recognizing the life, achievements, and public service of former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush on the occasion of her 100th birthday.

Introduced: Jun 17, 2025

Education

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This is a non-binding House resolution (H. Res. 520) introduced to honor and recognize the life, achievements, and public service of Barbara Pierce Bush on the occasion of her 100th birthday. The resolution highlights Barbara Bush’s biography, her roles as wife of a President and mother of a President, and her public advocacy—particularly in literacy and education—along with her broader contributions as First Lady and Second Lady. It expresses appreciation to her and her family and notes the enduring impact of her literacy initiatives and public service. Because it is a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or authorize spending.

Key Points

1The resolution publicly honors Barbara Pierce Bush, recognizing her life, achievements, and public service on her 100th birthday.
2It provides a concise biographical summary: born June 8, 1925 in New York City; education at Ashley Hall and Smith College; wartime work in 1943; marriage to George H.W. Bush; six children; involvement in politics, business support, and cross-country moves.
3It emphasizes her advocacy for literacy, including founding and leading literacy initiatives (notably the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy) and her role in the passage of the National Literacy Act of 1991.
4It notes her work as Second Lady and First Lady, her support for AIDS patients, and her influence on her husband’s political and presidential campaigns.
5The resolution is a ceremonial expression of appreciation, submitted June 17, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; it contains four operative clauses affirming recognition, gratitude, impact, and legacy.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- General public and American citizens, particularly those influenced by Barbara Bush’s literacy advocacy and public service.- Literacy educators, non-profit organizations, and family literacy programs that benefit from her legacy and continued focus on improving reading and education.Secondary group/area affected- Families and individuals interested in public service leadership and the role of the First Lady/Second Lady in shaping social initiatives.- Historical and civic education communities that document and discuss the contributions of presidential families.Additional impacts- Ceremonial/policy signal: as a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws or budgets but publicly reinforces the value of literacy advocacy and public service.- Potential to raise awareness of literacy initiatives and inspire continued or renewed interest in literacy and education programs.- May influence subsequent discussions about the role of public figures in civic life and the lasting legacy of presidential families.

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