Bush library dedication

A host of political dignitaries from around the world, including President Obama and all living former US presidents, gathered in Dallas on April 25 for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Speakers praised the 43d president’s aid to the people of Africa, his effort to reach across the aisle on issues like immigration and education, and his leadership in the days after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Pictured: President Obama stood with former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter at the dedication of the George W. Bush presidential library.

Former president George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, arrived at the dedication.

Crowds gathered outside the library, located on the campus of Southern Methodist University. The library, which holds more than 70 million pages of paper records, 43,000 artifacts, 200 million e-mails and 4 million digital photographs, will be opened to the public on May 1, 2013. The library is the 13th presidential library in the National Archives and Records Administration system.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush arrived for the dedication ceremony of his brother’s library.

Republican strategist and former White House senior adviser Karl Rove arrived at the ceremony. Rove is a longtime friend and was a key ally for George W. Bush during his tenure as Texas governor and as president.

Former White House press secretary Dana Perino stood with former NBA Houston Rockets player Dikembe Mutombo before the dedication ceremony.

George W. Bush’s daughters, Jenna Bush Hager (left) and Barbara Bush, attended the opening ceremony.

Former US secretary of state Colin Powell (left) paused for a photograph at the opening ceremony.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and wife, Mary Pat, arrived at the dedication.

From left, Michelle Obama and former first ladies Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and Rosalynn Carter took the stage at the dedication.

Barbara Bush, former president George H.W. Bush, and their son George W. Bush held hands during the invocation during the dedication.

President Obama applauded as George W. Bush arrived on stage at the dedication ceremony. The event that offered Americans a fresh look at his eight years in the White House. President Obama said, ‘‘To know President George W. Bush is to like him.’’

Bush shook hands with former president William J. Clinton during the dedication ceremony.

Former president Jimmy Carter spoke during the dedication.

Wearing cowboy hat, former vice president Dick Cheney took the stage at the dedication.

Bill Clinton spoke with his wife,Hillary, during the ceremony while Jimmy Carter read from a pamphlet.

President Obama laughed with former first lady Barbara Bush.

The man of the hour enjoyed a father-son moment.

Outside the dedication, protesters walked with masks during the opening ceremony.

Antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan held up a sign in protest as the George W. Bush Presidential Center opened on the SMU campus. Police arrested at least three people.

Dallas police asked two protesters wearing costumes to remain on the sidewalk during the dedication ceremony.