Studying the Feasibility of Making George W. Bush’s Childhood Home Part of the National Park Service (H.R. 368)

What is H.R. 368?

(Updated March 3, 2019)

This bill, the George W. Bush Childhood Home Study Act, would direct the Dept. of the Interior to conduct a special resource study into the feasibility and costs of designating the 1,400 square foot George W. Bush Childhood Home — located at 1412 West Ohio Avenue, Midland, Texas — as a unit of the National Park Service. The study would be completed within three years and provided to congressional natural resources committees.

The National Park Service and private organizations have preserved the childhood homes of many former presidents to serve as historical repositories for documents and artifacts from their presidencies. The Bush Childhood Home is currently operated by a non-profit and is open to the public.

Argument in favor

The childhood home of George W. Bush is just as historically significant as many other former presidents’ childhood homes, and there should be an assessment of its suitability for incorporation as a unit of the National Park Service.

Argument opposed

The National Park Service should be looking to offload responsibility for the management of the childhood homes of former presidents, rather than considering taking on additional units.

Impact

The George W. Bush Childhood Home; the National Park Service; and Congress.

Cost of H.R. 368

The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would cost less than $500,000.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) reintroduced this bill from the 115th Congress to preserve the Midland, Texas home of the Bush family as part of the National Park Service like other former president’s childhood homes:

“George W. Bush’s childhood home is a historic property that tells a tale of two presidents, two governors, and a first lady. The home is currently a museum that is open to the public, and my legislation takes the next step towards the home achieving the status of a national historic landmark. It’s important that we preserve this significant piece of history to ensure that future generations will have the same opportunity to get a glimpse into the lives of the members of the Bush family.”

Rep. Conaway said that doing more to preserve the Bushes' home would celebrate a family that represents "the epitome of the American dream."

There are no cosponsors of this bill in the current session of Congress. Last Congress, this legislation passed the House by a 382-4 vote with the support of six cosponsors, all of whom were Texas Republicans.

Of Note: The Bushes lived in the Midland, TX home for about four years during George W. Bush's childhood. The home has already been turned into a museum celebrating the lives of "accessibility

"Although the site is currently open to the public, oversight by the National Park Service will ensure that it is maintained and give many more Americans access to the site to be inspired ... by one of America's and Midland's premier families."

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) Press Release
  
• CBO Cost Estimate
  
• CBS 7
  
• Washington Examiner
• George W. Bush Childhood Home (Context)