As the University of Texas debuted its new Latino Leadership Award, it was announced that the first winner would be newly-elected Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

In conjunction with its Latino Research Initiative, UofT awarded Bush the honor early this week.

“In our diverse Latino Texas, there are very few individuals who have the résumé and record of excellence as Commissioner Bush,” said Nicole Guidotti-Hernández, chair of the Department of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies. “His life-long commitment to service as a teacher, veteran, UT alumnus and land commissioner makes him an exemplar of why transformative leadership is valued and necessary.”

George P. Bush, the oldest son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and a U.S. Navy Reserve Officer, is serving his first term as the Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. It is his first elective office. In fact, Bush won his position in a landslide election making him the first Bush to win office on his first try.

“I am honored and humbled to be the first recipient of the University of Texas Latino Leadership Award,” Bush said in the university’s press release. “As Texas Land Commissioner and a graduate of the University of Texas, I am proud CMAS is facilitating historical understanding and creating a legacy of cultural respect that should make all Longhorn students proud.”

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