Former President George H.W. Bush emphasized the importance of values in business and community service during yesterday’s Ohio Chamber of Commerce 110th annual meeting at the Ohio Theatre.
Bush said he was delighted to be back in the state of Ohio, the birthplace of his grandfather, who previously served on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce.
“The theme of this chamber is not only ethical business, but service, and one American helping another,” Bush said.
Bush referred to his grandfather as a champion of public service who taught him the importance of serving the community and instilled the values he stands by today.
“The government can’t do what a sensitive heart can do,” Bush said. “Some place in some community, volunteers are continually helping one another.”
Bush said lately people seem to beat up the business community, and it isn’t fair.
“You (the business community) are the professionals, and I’m not here to give you advice,” Bush said. “However, if I violated this and did offer one piece of advice, it would be not to judge the entire U.S. economy based on a few greedy corporations cutting corners.”
Bush said the economy is showing good signs even though many people are hurting. He commended President George W. Bush’s tax cut, at which point the audience applauded.
“I have no doubt the economy is poised to pick up pace,” Bush said.
Bush kept an upbeat mood throughout the speech and often joked with the audience. He impersonated the infamous Dana Carvey parody on Saturday Night Live of himself, and referred to George W. Bush as “No. 43” and himself as “No. 41.”
“The 43rd president has proven to be a forceful, effective advocate for his beliefs,” Bush said.
Bush said as a country we have a long way to go to make the American dream a reality, although he is optimistic for the future.
“There is more turbulence as global markets become interconnected, but in spite of terrorist threats – it is a safer world, with more democracy, more freedom and more market economy,” Bush said.
The Ohio Theatre was nearly full with a welcoming audience that gave Bush a standing ovation both at the beginning and end of his speech.
Andrew Doehrel, President and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, presented Bush with a $10,000 donation to the Barbara Bush Literacy Fund, and granted him an honorary member of the board of directors.
“We’ll expect to see you at next year’s meeting,” Doehrel said.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy group with 4,500 members, of which 80 percent are small businesses with 400 or fewer employees.
“If Ohio has a good business climate, than all Ohioans will benefit,” said Julie Feasel, spokeswoman for the chamber.
During yesterday’s meeting, a new board of directors was elected for next year. The board is volunteer-based and helps to guide policies on pro-business legislation.
Feasel said the Chamber of Commerce seeks out pro-business candidates to support during elections.
“Some of the major issues we are working on are affordable health care and tort reform.” Feasel said. “We constantly watch to see what is happening in the state budget – especially with cuts in education that affect colleges and universities in Ohio.”
