George W. Bush address to St. Mark’s School of Texas
President George W. Bush upon announcing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease, having saved 26 million lives and supported HIV treatment for over 20 million people worldwide since 2003. It is one of the enduring legacies of the Bush administration. Photo: Eric Draper. National Archives and Records Administration. Public domain.
The following is a transcript of the address given by George W. Bush at the St. Mark’s School of Texas Spring Convocation on April 21, 2026.
I was recently asked to reflect on the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. It is a milestone that invites us to look back at our history and forward to our future. In preparing for this, I spent some time thinking about the character of our first president, George Washington.
Washington was a man of great discipline and even greater humility. He understood that the success of the American experiment depended not on the power of one individual, but on the virtue and participation of its citizens. He knew that liberty is a gift from the Almighty, but its preservation requires the constant effort of every generation.
I brought with me a few thoughts I penned for this anniversary, and I would like to share an excerpt with you.
History repeatedly tells us that human endeavors worth pursuing require the partnership of generations to achieve. Whether you realize it or not, Marksmen, you have already embarked on a great journey of your own: to be an engaged, informed, and responsible citizen of this republic born out of the idealism of 1776.
I was blessed to represent this country. I will always be honored to carry this title that means more to me than any other—citizen of the United States.
As you continue your studies here at St. Mark’s, I encourage you to remember that with great opportunity comes great responsibility. You are being prepared to lead and to serve. Our nation needs your energy, your integrity, and your commitment to the principles that have always made America a beacon of hope for the world.
Thank you for having me. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
