Former First Lady Laura Bush
Laura W. Bush will speak at Blowout 2010, the Texas Energy Museum's annual fund raising dinner, on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at the Beaumont Civic Center.
As an educator and former first lady of Texas and the United States, Mrs. Laura Bush has a unique and wide-ranging perspective. She is actively involved in issues of national and global concern, with a particular emphasis on education, women's health and human rights.
She has investigated and showcased successful programs for early childhood education, at-risk youth, global literacy and preservation of our national parks and heritage sites.
Through her travels to countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Panama, she has helped to shatter old taboos and oppressions and launch groundbreaking educational and health care advances for women.
As the leader of former President George W. Bush's Helping America's Youth initiative, Bush has listened closely to the concerns of young people, parents and community leaders throughout the country.
Her interest in improving education and literacy led her to convene a national forum in 2001 for scholars and educators to share research on best practices to prepare children for lifelong learning.
Blowout Chairman Daniel Risso, ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery Plant Manager, stated, "We are so pleased to be presenting the former first lady as this year's Blowout speaker. Mrs. Bush has long been a champion for early childhood literacy and an advocate for women's health. Her global perspectives on these issues and comments on life after the White House will be of particular interest to Southeast Texas."
The annual Blowout event raises funds for the Texas Energy Museum's exhibitions and public education programs focusing on science, history and energy. Previous speakers have included Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, James Baker and Newt Gingrich.
Seating for the Blowout is available by reservation only.
Table contribution levels range from $700 to $10,000. Individual seats are $87.50. Persons and companies interested in securing reservations should contact the Texas Energy Museum at 409-833-5100.