(Stuart Palley)
As plans for the George W. Bush Presidential Center and Library progress, fundraising for the complex has slowed down and now entered the “quiet phase,” according to Mark Langdale, president of the George W. Bush Foundation.
This “quiet phase” consists of speaking with large donors interested in contributing to the center.
“Even in this difficult economic climate, we’re still on target with where we want to be,” Langdale said.
The foundation managed to raise $100 million of its needed $300 million in 100 days, according to a recent CBS news report.
With roughly $200 million left to go, the foundation hopes to begin construction Nov. 1, 2010, and reach completion by spring of 2013, according to Langdale.
The Library, which has been designed by the dean of the Yale School of Architecture Robert A.M. Stern, will be built near the intersection of Binkley Avenue and Dublin Street and modeled after SMU’s “distinct architectural character,” according to The Dallas Morning News.
The design consists of one building divided into two parts. One side will be the library and museum and the other will be a policy center.
The museum will house a collection of state gifts, paintings, crafts and more, according to Langdale.
The Howard Badge is one example of a museum item. The badge belonged to a police officer who died on 9/11 and was carried by former president Bush in his pocket afterward while trying to lift the spirit of New Yorkers.
The library, in conjunction with the museum, will contain numerous official papers and electronic records collected during Bush’s eight years of presidency provided by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Such records include briefing memos, decision memos, laws passed and presentations, according to Langdale.
This library will house the largest collection of digital archives, which will “give us a lot of opportunities to get information out to people sooner than other presidential libraries,” says Langdale.
The library will be set up in the form of a case study that is different from most presidential libraries, which are done biographically. The library will demonstrate steps Bush took in making 22 key decisions while in office, says Langdale. The setup shows which core principles, such as compassion and freedom, Bush reverted back to when making governmental choices.
Debates, forums and symposia are some of the events and programs with which the library and policy center will provide the SMU community, according to Brad Cheves, vice president of Development and External Affairs at SMU. These programs will be “more evident” as the library moves closer to completion.
Library officials intend to team with SMU as much as possible, says Langdale. Officials plan to invite “foreign leaders to come and visit, who might be able to teach or lecture at SMU.” Officials are also considering having an SMU senior fellow work on education reform issues at the policy center.
Program opportunities also are boosted by the DFW international airport, which will allow for transportation of people from around the world.
“There will be opportunities for sitting world leaders as well as former world leaders to visit Dallas,” said Cheves, which opens the prospect for guest appearances and special guest lecturers on campus.
Both Cheves and Langdale agree the library will increase SMU’s national and international visibility.
Another advantage the center offers is invaluable information students can use to further their studies.
“I think it’s only as limited as we are limited by our ideas,” Cheves said, adding the library provides “a great opportunity in every area of the campus and we’re all going to be challenged to think creatively.”
