First Lady Pool Reports of May 8, 2025

FLOTUS Pool Report: USPS stamp unveiling for Barbara Bush

Press was escorted into the East Room a little after 4:00 PM and were treated to an instrumental recording of Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," one of the president's favorite songs. Roughly 75 people were seated around a platform, where a USPS curtain hung over a mural-sized rendering of the to-be-unveiled stamp.

The first lady's office did not have a list of Bush family members to share, noting only that family, friends, and former staff members were in attendance. George H.W. and Barbara Bush's son Neil Bush were among those seated in the East Room before the ceremony.

FLOTUS walked into the East Room with Alice Yates, CEO of George and Barbara Bush Foundation, Doro Bush Koch, the daughter of George H.W. and Barbara Bush, and Judy de Torok, USPS's vice president of corporate affairs. (de Torok appeared in place of Doug Tulino, the acting Post Master General; the first lady's office did not have details as to why the switch was made.) They took seats on the right side of the stage.

Judy de Torok spoke first, who called it "a privilege to unveil the United States Postal Services stamp commemorating the life, memory and legacy of one of America's most prominent women." She invited FLOTUS, Yates, and Koch to join her in pulling a curtain to unveil the stamp to applause.

Alice Yates spoke second; she thanked FLOTUS for her "her kindness and generous hospitality" and reflected on Mrs. Bush's efforts to promote literacy." Doro Bush Koch spoke third, offering personal reflections of her mother and her marriage to H.W., "a partnership that would span decades and help shape history." FLOTUS smiled when Koch mentioned her mother's many nicknames — including "most famously in our family, The Enforcer."

FLOTUS's remarks began at 4:26 PM. She thanked the previous speakers for their presence, then noted the importance of "strong American families." The home, FLOTUS said, is where "the principles of morality, ambition, and empathy take root," and the family "serves as our first line of foresight, often more influential than the decisions made in Washington, D.C. "

FLOTUS then turned her attention to Mrs. Bush's "iconic" 1990 commencement speech at Wellesley College as "an important moment in the conversation surrounding women's roles in society." FLOTUS quoted the section of Mrs. Bush's speech that talked about the importance of pursuing personal dreams, then made the room laugh when she delivered a line of her own: "Who knows—somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps and preside over the White House, and I wish him well."

FLOTUS noted Mrs. Bush's call for a female American president — "a reflection of her forward-thinking vision," FLOTUS said. Mrs. Bush, she added, "embodied the complex interplay of ambition and identity that defines us all." She also praised Mrs. Bush for how she "supported women’s empowerment, changed the national conversation on AIDS, and took a stance supporting gay rights."

Remarks concluded at 4:31 PM. FLOTUS approached Yates, Koch and shook their hands. The room exited to an orchestral recording of "God Bless America." Press was escorted out.