Lt Col Paul A Dongieux Ret PO Box 4841 Jackson MS 39296-4841 11 January 2002 Mr Stewart Gentling 4801 Harley Avenue Fort Worth, Texas 76107 Dear Stewart; Attached, are copies of two write ups in two different newspapers and I am glad that the military outfit that I belonged to had the pleasure of visiting your studio a couple of years ago. You were kind enough to give each of us a print of your work. The print that you gave me is of three green jays and an owl and I have it mounted and is hung in one our bedrooms and I have a chance to lock at it each day and 1 admire it very much. And I am just as,proud as my print as President Bush is of the painting that you did of him. It is a real work of art. / Page4A Monday, December 31,2001 gfrcgallagfttonring NATIONAL Bushes prepare to go quietly into 2002 couple ofday trips, including one to By CAROLYN BARTA spending time with oldfriends. His • Staff Writer 1999. Austin for the unveiling of his gu­ only visible guest has been Gen. » CRAWFORD, Texas — Presi-; 3 As on other visits, Mr. Bush has ? bernatorial portrait in the Capitol Ibmmy Franks, commander of the ‘ dent Bush will ring in the New Year • jogged on the grounds and cleared rotunda, followed by a reception, war in Afghanistan, who briefed •at his Central Texas ranch ...quiet-’ brush. i The painting by Scott Gentling, the president in person last week. Jfy- ' -73^ “We’re making great progress in a Fort Worth artist known for his Press aide Scott McClellan said one... of the bottom areas that was ‘ “Probably going to bed early,”he.' portraits and for studies of Texas that although Mr. Bush receives heretofore relatively inaccessible,” ’said, during his only meeting with birds, will be hung on the first floor daily briefings from his national se­ hesaid. •reporters since he arrived last week next to the portrait of former Gov. -’at his Prairie Chapel Ranch. - curity team and is engaging in some Mr. Bush said he has finished Ann Richards, the Democrat Mr. telephone diplomacy with foreign ; The president and first lady reading Theodore Rex, a book on Bush defeated in 1992. It will join leaders, the president considers the ;Laura Bush are expected to skip a Teddy Roosevelt by Edmund Mor­ the gubernatorial portraits hung on visit an “opportunity to come home couple of New Year’s Eve parties in ris, and has done a little fishing. four floors. To make way for the lat­ during the holidays and spend -this town of 705 people, including "Ihey’re not biting veiy much,” est addition, Miriam “Ma” Fergu­ some time outdoors.” „one featuring a Texas swing band , he said. “But just the fact that I was son’s picture will be moved up a His activities have included 'with former “Fiddler of the Year” able to fish was a nice treat” floor. The Bush portrait was com­ planting a 10-inchlive oak tree — a •Johnny Gimble. Mr. Bush also said he has spent pleted last summer at the ranclL gift from senior staff—outside bis ’ Mr. Bush hasn’t been off the some “quality time” with the first la­ Meanwhile, Mr. Bush is enjoy­ ranch house. It’s one of about 35 „ranch since arriving the day after dy. The Bush daughters, 20-year- ing relative seclusion in his beloved 'Christmas. He is, however, expec­ live oaks and cedar elms planted on old twins Barbara and Jenna, have native Texas setting, reading, exer­ the 1,600-acre ranch since the ted to surface this week during a not been seen. Mr. McClellan said cising, working outdoors, and Bushes acquired the property in they are not at the ranch. WZ • -í 1 • • ' M CLARIONLEDGER.COM SATURDAY, JANUARY 5,2002 ■ THE CLARION THE NATION/IN WASHINGTON Bush emotiona’ as Texas honors him with The Associated Press a politically fractious election year. .coptered with her husband to t coming to “witness my hanging.” ’ learned that Gentling came from a' AUSTIN, Texas—A tear or. two But Friday was for nostalgia as Austin for the brief ceremony and a | He thanked Gentling, for v. hom family famous for painting birds, • j spilled down President Bush’s his gubernatorial portrait took its' private reception, helped Fort ? Bush sat on previous visits to his yi-fPrettjrtpugh'old,bird;here to" cheek Friday as he saw his portrait prominent place on the first floor Worth artist Scott Gentling lift the I ranch, for “talcing time to try I ofig­ unveiled in the Texas state Capitol paint, wasn’t I,” Bush cracked.; of the Capitol rotunda,' beside that black velvet shroud from his ure me'putì “ - L The first lady said-; thé • portrait ' and?- reflected-, on his “joyous six jof Democrat? Anni Richards lithe . .$lO,OO0work..... “Looks like you did me justice,” “shows the president with his years”,as governor.; ; ; i;«? incumbent Bushunseatediiu 1994 - ;' Bush^who served as governor * Bush told the artist. ’ . warmth and his resolve. This is the “I’m going to take that can-do ;until the Election 2000 recount I after a bitterly fought race. ; Against a smoke gray back­ ; way I’ve always seen him and as Texas spirit to Washington, for “It is amazing for me to think— • that made him president; shrugged 1 ground, wearing a cheerful blue i America and the world are coming h p we ve r long I’m there, and when I step back and think.— that isheepishly as the painting, won j necktiA the painted Bush'perches, » to know him.” remintipeople that results are ¿thiswiU be-hanging herfeforever.” applause;'He then joked hisjwayjf with a casual slouch to his shoul­ Gov. Rick Perry, who succeeded^ what matters,” the president said. Bush said. “I just hope Governor , past the emotion that showed in ders, on the corner of a desk. { Bush, said the portrait would be a - On Monday, he closes a 12-day Richards doesn’t mind being my his wet eyes, ¿mu/I It is Gentling’s first Texas gover­ », reminder of “a man who governed holiday at his central Texas ranch neighbor for eternity.” ' - He thanked a group ofTexaspols,' nor’s portrait;“and Bush said he f with civility, passion and tremen- add returns to Washington to face First lady Laura Bush.who heli- old pals and longtime advisers for- was nervous at first when he ; dous character.” ’’ Busti portrait by See.