First Daughter pays a visit

First daughter Jenna Bush made a stop Wednesday in Midland to help raise money for her father's childhood home and promote her book, "Ana's Story."

The Bush twin spoke to a sold-out crowd at Midland Country Club about her work with United Nations Children's Fund, the inspiration for "Ana's Story," and the importance of preserving her father's old digs.

The George Bush Childhood Home, at 1412 West Ohio St. in Midland, opened in April 2006. The modest home has been fully refurbished to reflect its '50s charm and is meant to celebrate the Bush family's history. George H.W. and Barbara Bush raised the president there from 1948 to 1955, and according to home administrator Joyce McCarty, more than 7,000 visitors have toured the house since its opening, including tourists from 35 different countries.

Event committee chairman Rick Davis said the fund-raiser's 430 dinner guests should raise about $100,000 for the home. The Odessa High Percussion Ensemble performed Caribbean-themed music for the event.

"We've been overwhelmed with the response we've had," Davis said. "This home serves as a reminder that we can all make a difference."

Bush said it was "funny" to see the home with such close ties to its history. She lived in Midland until age 5.

But "Ana's Story" took center stage at a news conference before the dinner fund-raiser.

Bush's book tells the story of an HIV positive 17-year-old she met in her travels with UNICEF. She started as an intern with the organization in 2006. Her job was to meet children and document their lives for the nonprofit.

"Many of us have kids like Ana in our communities," Bush said. "It's important to make sure kids are protecting themselves."

She said she didn't set out to write a book "at all," but Ana's story prompted her to take her work outside UNICEF. She said she hopes the book will inspire young people to give back to their communities and spotlight the continuing struggle with HIV and AIDS.

"People need to be encouraged to get tested," Bush said.

But there are no political aspirations on the table for the first daughter, who couldn't help but grimace when the subject came up.

"Absolutely not," Bush said. "There's ways to serve your country besides being president of the United States."

AT A GLANCE
What: George W. Bush Childhood Home
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: 1412 W. Ohio St., Midland
Phone: 685-1112