The House passed legislation on Monday that requires the government to study whether George W. Bush’s childhood home should become part of the National Park System.
Bush lived at 1412 West Ohio Avenue in Midland, Texas, when he was a child for about four years.
The home has already been turned into a museum that celebrates the lives of “two presidents, two governors, and two first ladies.”
The bill passed by the House on Monday would require the secretary of the Interior to examine whether his home should become part of the National Park System, or otherwise be preserved as an historic site.
It gives the Department of the Interior three years to study the site and make recommendations. The bill was passed after a brief debate and a 382-4 vote — the four “no” votes came from Republicans.
Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, said doing more to preserve the home would celebrate the Bush family, which represents “the epitome of the American dream.” He also said passing the bill would help set up the last round of approvals to add the Bush home to the National Park System.
“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,” Conaway said on the House floor.
Bush last week delivered a eulogy for his father, President George H.W. Bush, whom he called “the best father a son or daughter could have.”
