Houstonians Celebrate the Life and Legacy of George H.W. Bush

Hundreds of Houstonians gathered in front of City Hall on Monday, Dec. 3 to honor George H.W. Bush. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)   

City Hall shined brightly with red, white and blue lighting as several hundred Houstonians gathered in Hermann Square to pay tribute to President George H.W. Bush on Monday evening. 

The public memorial ceremony was hosted by Mayor Sylvester Turner’s office, and it offered a chance for Houstonians to honor the late president and to celebrate his life. Mayor Turner opened the event with a tribute to the late president, who, the mayor said, has deeply influenced Houston. 

“[Bush] shined a light on Houston’s growth and potential wherever he could,” Mayor Turner said. “Tonight, on this stage and in this audience, you will see a reflection of the president’s respect for people from all walks of life in the most diverse city of the United States of America.” 

Latin band La Mafia, which the Bush family enjoyed listening to, performs Monday evening in front of City Hall. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

The evening continued with entertainment from a range of performers, including the Houston Symphony, Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams and country music star Clay Walker. Both Adams and Walker knew the Bush family - Adams had performed at a number of Bush’s birthday parties, and Walker had performed at the 25th anniversary of Bush’s presidency. Also performing were Latin music band La Mafia, who the Bush family enjoyed listening to, and Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers. 

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston also participated in the ceremony by having representatives of different faiths offer shared prayers to the late president.

Children from The River Performing and Visual Arts Center open the evening with the Pledge of Allegiance. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

Many attendees came to the event wearing colorful socks to honor Bush, who was known for wearing whimsical socks. Volunteers at the event also collected donations of colorful socks, which will be given to beneficiaries of Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels Program. Houstonians who would like to donate new, colorful socks can still do so by dropping them off at the Interfaith Ministries office at 3303 Main Street by Monday, Dec. 10. 

The four-day tribute to the late President George H.W. Bush began on Monday morning with a ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base. Read more about it here. And share your memories of the president in the comment section below or email us at [email protected] for possible inclusion in a tribute article.