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News Update
On July 17, delegates to the South Central Jurisdictional Conference rejected a motion that would have overturned an agreement to lease UMC-owned property to the Bush Presidential Center to create a policy research institute (“think tank”) at Southern Methodist University. The motion was defeated by a vote of 158-118. In a final parliamentary effort, a request was made for a legal ruling on whether the jurisdiction could legally subsidize a particular political/ideological point of view by leasing jurisdictional property. For a detailed news report and readers' comments, click here.

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LETTER FROM
TEX SAMPLE

June 25, 2008

Dear South Central Jurisdictional Conference Delegate,

Having been a Jurisdictional delegate many times, I have some sense of the heavy responsibilities you now bear and the claims upon you. I write you, then, about a matter of great urgency and significance or I would not otherwise ask for your attention.

On March 14, 2007, Southern Methodist University asked the Mission Council, a meeting of SCJ representatives, for permission to lease campus property to the Bush Foundation as the site for the President George W. Bush library, museum, and policy institute. ...More

Timeline Of Bush Presidential Library Selection Process

February 22, 2008

2001
SMU begins researching the possibility of seeking the George W. Bush Presidential Library for its campus.

July 7, 2005
SMU receives a request for proposal from the Library Selection Committee.

Sept. 14, 2005
SMU delivers its proposal to the Committee.

Oct. 12, 2005
The Committee announces that Texas A&M University, The University of Texas System and the City of Arlington are eliminated from consideration. SMU, Baylor, the University of Dallas and the West Texas Coalition are the remaining four contenders.

Nov. 11, 2005
SMU makes its presentation to the Committee.

Mar. 16, 2006
The Committee eliminates the West Texas Coalition bid from contention.

Dec. 21, 2006
The Library Selection Committee announces it is focusing on SMU as the possible site; negotiations begin.

Jan. 23, 2007
The University of Dallas drops its bid.

Feb. 5, 2007
The College of Bishops of The United Methodist Church issues statement endorsing Library project.

Mar. 14, 2007
The Mission Council of the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church approves SMU’s lease of campus land as possible site of the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

Aug. 28, 2007
Committee announces Robert A. M. Stern Architects of New York as the design team for the Bush Library.

Nov. 9, 2007
President Bush chooses Ambassador Mark Langdale to serve as president of the George W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation.

Jan. 9, 2008
The College of Bishops of the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church approves a letter of clarification for the Bush Presidential Library Foundation affirming the authority of the Mission Council to grant permission for the lease of campus land to the Foundation.

Feb. 22, 2008
SMU Board of Trustees and George W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation Board vote on agreement establishing SMU as the site of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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