When he announced in l997 that he would not seek a third term as Lieutenant
Governor, Bob Bullock said, “only death will end my love affair
with Texas.”
Slightly more than two years later, Texas’ 38th Lieutenant Governor
was dead, but his love affair with Texas and his legacy continues.
It continues in the Bob Bullock Collection at Baylor University where
Texans can view the impact that Bob Bullock had on modern state government
in his 40-year career of public service.
The documents and materials can paint an overall picture of a Texan who
was often praised as a political genius in the same breath that he was
cussed as abrasive and controversial. It will show a Texan, who was anchored
in the small town values of his hometown of Hillsboro, as he climbed the
political ladder from State Representative to State Comptroller and Lieutenant
Governor.
It will also show a man who genuinely believed that government could work
especially if it were spurred on by a political leader who was known for
his eagerness to lead in finding solutions to controversial problems.
Bullock found no problem too big to tackle. He had, however, a dislike
for solutions that weren’t big enough to fit the problem.
Bullock was fond of saying that it was amazing what government could accomplish
if no one worried who got the credit.
He liked to get opposing sides in a room and tell them they could not
leave until they had reached an agreement. Often he would call lobbyists
and special interests and tell them to stay away from his office. It was
just Bullock’s way of doing what he thought was best for Texas.
Bullock was a political leader from the “old school.” He believed
in politics and government that emphasized people over political ideology.
At times he seemed a paradox. He had the hands-on and personal touch of
President Lyndon B. Johnson at the same time he was introducing modern
computer technology to state government.
The Bob Bullock Collection is a touchstone for those wanting to understand
the thoughts and actions of one of the most outstanding Texas political
leaders in the last half of the 20th Century. It will reinforce the notion
that his legacy and history does continue his love affair with Texas.
It will serve as a reminder to Texans about Bob Bullock with the same
certainty as his trademark, little Texas flags with God Bless Texas on
it.
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