News Details

Former President George Bush will host The Hon. John Howard, 25th Prime Minister of Australia, for the Twanna M. Powell Lecture.  The program is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.

The Twanna M. Powell Lecture Series is an endowed program designed to bring distinguished leaders and recognized experts on major public policy issues to the campus of Texas A&M. Established through an endowment from the Donald and Twanna Powell family, this lecture series takes place in the spring and is designed to reach a broad audience, including students, faculty and residents from throughout the state.  The program is sponsored by the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation.

Howard was sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia on March 11, 1996, and was re-elected for three additional terms before leaving office in December 2007.

Howard came to office with extensive senior experience in both government and opposition. He was appointed Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs in 1975 and subsequently served as Minister for Special Trade Negotiations and as Treasurer of the Commonwealth for more than five years. 

In September 1985, Howard, as Deputy Leader, was elected by his colleagues as Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and, therefore, Leader of the Opposition. He held this post until May 1989 and was returned to the leadership by unanimous vote of his colleagues in January 1995. In the interim period between holding the leadership, he served as Coalition spokesman for a number of senior portfolios.

He attended the University of Sydney, graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1961, and was admitted as a solicitor of the New South Wales Supreme Court in July 1962. Prior to his election to Parliament he was a partner in a Sydney firm of solicitors.

The Powell Lecture is a ticketed event.  Those attending are asked not to bring backpacks, bags, cameras or other personal belongings.  Free tickets are available at the Bryan-College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau, KBTX-TV, WTAW, The Bryan/College Station Eagle, the MSC Box Office, and the Museum at the George Bush Presidential Library.  For more information, call (979) 862-2251 or visit www.georgebushfoundation.org