Remarks by President George W. Bush at "Educating and Empowering the Women and Girls of Afghanistan"

So I was lying on the couch in Crawford the day after President Obama got sworn in as President, and I said, “Free at last,” and Laura said, “You are now free to mow the lawn and to take out the garbage.” I said, “You’re talking to the former President.” She said, “Consider it your new domestic policy agenda.”

I am free at last of politics, but I wanted to stay involved in policy, and I wanted to do it in a way that would not only encourage thought, but encourage action. So Laura and I, during the waning days of the presidency, looked for a suitable place to house the museum, which all former Presidents have, and the archives, which will store our papers which we’re required by law to have — but a place of thought and action. I can think of no better place than Southern Methodist University. SMU is a really good school. It’s got a vibrant faculty, a curious student body. It is a university on the rise, and we’re honored to be a part of it. It also helped that the University provided 14 acres of land.

I really am serious about sending the signal that this Institute will be an institute based on principle, not politics. I want our thought to be scholarly, and I want our actions to be transformative. And that’s why today’s event is really an important event, because what you’re about to hear are people who are using their talents, both inside of Afghanistan and from the United States, in helping Afghanistan to help transform a country from one that was wracked by a brutal tyranny.

It’s hard for Americans to imagine what the Taliban is like, but you can ask some of these women who have been working in Afghanistan or living in Afghanistan. And you’ll hear from them that the Taliban is so barbaric and so dark in their vision; they do not believe women have a rightful place in society. That stands contrary to the universal view that God created all people equally, and that societies benefit when they realize and utilize the talents of women.

So at the Bush Institute, one of the tranches that Jim Glassman talked about — by the way, we found a great guy in Glassman. He is really — he’s a good man, and he’s the kind of person that is going to make a significant difference for this Institute in working with our collaborators at SMU. He talked about freedom being one of the areas we’re going to concentrate on. I believe freedom is universal. The principle by which we’ll operate this Institute is that everybody desires to be free: man, woman, Methodist, Muslim. People all around the world want to be free. I believe there’s commonality with American women and women around the world, in that women want their children to grow up in a hopeful, peaceful, free society. I believe women will lead the democracy movement in the Middle East, so one of our areas of focus is on empowering women in the Middle East, mentoring with women in the Middle East, encouraging courage with women in the Middle East, all aiming to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.

There are some things I do miss about the presidency, one of which is being the Commander-in-Chief of the military. I was constantly inspired by our troops. I was amazed to be able to stand in front of men and women who volunteered during a time of danger. I was pleased to know that our military brought great compassion around the world. Two people who will not be introduced today, but deserve recognition, are Captain Amanda Freeman and Staff Sergeant Allison Hagen of the United States Marine Corp, two women who are being — who will go — when they go to Afghanistan, work directly with Afghan women. There the women will learn not only the strength of the United States of America, but our deep commitment to freedom and our passion for the plight of women inside the country. I would like for you all to stand. Thank you for coming.

So now I have the honor of introducing the next speaker, perhaps the most patient woman in America. During my Presidency, there were some dramatic moments and a lot of pressure and a lot of stress, but that stress was made much easier and much lighter because of Laura Bush. I love her dearly. The country — one time I said, “Best First Lady ever,” and then of course, I looked out in the audience and saw mother. I’m still sticking with that position. Laura.