As I flew to Austin, Texas a few weeks ago, what better reading could I have had than All the Best by George Bush. The letters and personal memoranda of the former president were great reading. The fullness of the man I knew came out clearly in the book. From early correspondence with his mother and father while in the service, to intimate observations about foreign policy, George Bush is revealed in written words ¬ words of his own. The book is really worth reading.

Particularly poignant to me was the section dealing with the 1988 campaign for president. Running with George Bush that year caused me, as I read his book, to reflect even more about the ups and downs of the campaign. But, the portion of the book which is the most revealing about George Bush, the human being, covers the letters to his children. He is first a father and secondly a public official.

One event in the 1988 campaign which will remain with me as long as I live was the George Bush appearance at a school in Queens. With the platform loaded with dignitaries and hundreds of reporters and TV cameras recording everything, George Bush finished his remarks and reached back to bring me right up next to him at the microphone. With no chance of winning the Senate race against Pat Moynihan, I wondered why he did not pick out a better known political personality than me? The answer is found in his book and the basic kindness of the man. He knew what an uphill battle I faced and wanted to reassure me.

Later, after his presidency, my wife, Phoebe, and I met the Bushs' at a Hofstra University event. Ever gracious, George and Barbara Bush greeted us with warmth and friendship. That is just the way President Bush and his wife have lived their entire lives.

At the outset of this piece, I mentioned that the Bush book was being read on the way to Austin. Phoebe and I were off to visit her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, all of whom are living in Austin. I would be remiss if I didn't say a little about the city and its economic growth. It has to be one of the fastest growing high tech communities in the nation. This came about after Austin witnessed the economic disasters of the oil business in the early '80s. With over 125,000 high tech computer related jobs now, the next two years promises 20 percent growth! The University of Texas, a positive government attitude toward business, and a great climate ¬ at least in the spring, fall and winter ¬ have set the stage for such unprecedented technology related growth.

Leaving Austin, I could not help remember the song about Texas. Remember, it went something like this ­ "The stars at night are big and bright ­ deep in the heart of Texas," the bright stars in Texas are certainly not only over head, but in high tech and perhaps even in the Governor's Mansion.