WHEREAS,  the Maine State Legislature has learned of the death of Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States and mother of the 43rd President of the United States, and a longtime summer resident of Kennebunkport; and

WHEREAS,  in 1945 the former Barbara Pierce, a native of New York State, married the Honorable George H. W. Bush, a young naval aviator who went on to a successful political career culminating in 1988 with his election as the 41st President of the United States, and they were married 73 years; and

WHEREAS,  she became a popular First Lady, appreciated for her unpretentiousness and self-deprecation, and was a tireless advocate of adult literacy programs; and

WHEREAS,  in Maine, she gave her time and resources to local causes and institutions, including the Maine Literacy Volunteers, The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center and the University of New England, home to the George and Barbara Bush Center; and

WHEREAS,  she and her husband had six children, two of whom also became successful politicians: the Honorable John Ellis "Jeb" Bush, Sr., who became Governor of Florida, and the Honorable George W. Bush, who became Governor of Texas and later the 43rd President of the United States; and

WHEREAS,  the Members of the Senate and the Members of the House of Representatives wish to express the high esteem in which they hold the late Barbara Bush and the sadness with which they received the news of her passing; now, therefore, be it