Laura Bush unveils husband's china
WASHINGTON - Laura Bush showed off a new gold-rimmed set of official George W. Bush state china yesterday, with less than two weeks to use it before the family packs up for Texas.
The $493,000 set was inspired by green basketweave-patterned French china in the White House collection believed to have come from James and Dolley Madison. It was paid for by a privately funded trust of the White House Historical Association, which also purchased a second, less formal set. Laura Bush said the china has been in the works several years and the family had hoped to use it, but the process took longer than expected.
"So I hope that the next family, and I know they will be happy to have these two sets, as well, to be able to entertain their heads of state that come in, as well as for their closest family and friends," she said. The Bushes leave the White House Jan. 20, the day President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in.
Officials did not believe the new china would be used for President Bush's lunch yesterday with Obama, and former presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter, because it is still being unpacked.
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