Back Home in Texas

"For 15 years, Laura and I had the honor of serving our fellow citizens in Austin and Washington. Since January 2009, we have been out of office, but we have continued to advance the principles and priorities that motivated us throughout our life in public service – especially freedom, opportunity, responsibility, and compassion. As we like to say, we may be retired, but we are not tired."

President Bush has spent the majority of his time planning the Bush Center, delivering speeches around the world, and has written his memoir, Decision Points, which chronicles the most important decisions of his life and presidency.

In January 2010, President Barack Obama asked President Bush and former President Bill Clinton to lead private fundraising efforts after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. President Bush has recorded television interviews and public service announcements, traveled to Haiti, and worked to ensure that Clinton Bush Haiti Fund grants are spent wisely and effectively.

Mrs. Bush played a leading role in designing and developing the Bush Center, and serves as chair of the Institute’s Women’s Initiative. In addition, she delivers speeches across the country and has continued her involvement in issues ranging from global literacy to heart health to Gulf Coast rebuilding to freedom in Burma and Afghanistan. Her best-selling memoir, Spoken from the Heart, was published in May 2010. In 2009, Mrs. Bush delivered the commencement address at SMU, her alma mater.

President and Mrs. Bush split their time between Dallas, Texas, and their ranch in Crawford.