President-elect George W. Bush Resigns as Governor of Texas

AUSTIN - George W. Bush officially announced his resignation as Governor of Texas at 10 a.m. today, December 21, 2000, in a brief ceremony at the State Capitol. With his successor Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry at his side, Bush said he is leaving the Governor's Mansion and Texas for the only possible reason: to become the President of the United States.

Today at 3 p.m. Perry will take the oath of office as Texas' 47th Governor.

Bush said that while he doesn't assume the office of the Presidency for 30 days, he is resigning now so that Perry can assemble his team and have a smooth transition.

During the brief address, Bush remarked that no one person can take credit for advances that the state has made while he was in office, saying that the credit must be shared equally, that it was a "true tribute to bipartisan efforts."

Bush closed by saying that while the Governor's Mansion was no longer his home, that "...Texas always will be."

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