The Highland Capital Lecture, Understanding the Border: A Conversation on Life, Culture and Commerce
In a companion event to the Bush Center’s special exhibit on immigration and President Bush’s new book, Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants, a panel of experts examine the incredible biodiversity, agricultural strength, and beauty of our southern border. The conversation tackles how to thoughtfully secure and manage a diverse border region, and how to protect and preserve the land itself.
Texas Tribune CEO and Co-Founder Evan Smith leads the discussion with former U.S. Congressman Will Hurd, former Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez, conservationist and film producer Jay Kleberg (The River and the Wall), and Adair Margo, who has been involved in the El Paso/Juarez border community her entire life. She founded the Adair Margo Gallery in 1985 and co-authored an oral history of the region with renowned local artist Tom Lea.
The conversation also focuses on the people who live and work along the border, and the diversity of culture that makes the region unique. The panel examines topics such as the economy, food, the arts, and education, while also touching on policy that can help us facilitate a more efficient and compassionate immigration system.