Big Day

As a political volunteer, Dot Adler enjoyed a unique perspective of the presidential inauguration

By Paula Felps

When she began volunteering in politics more than four decades ago, Dot Adler never could have guessed where it would lead her. But that path took her to the top rung of the political ladder, landing her alongside politicians and dignitaries at the presidential inauguration of George W. Bush in January. For Dot, who retired from TI's Semiconductor Manufacturing Systems Group in 1994, it was the experience of a lifetime – again.

"In my early years of precinct walks, calling from phone banks, working at polls… I never dreamed I would get to attend even one, much less three, presidential inaugurations," she says. "I got to know the Bush family through working in Bush campaigns. They treat volunteers like extended family."

Her days as a volunteer in Republican politics began in 1960 as a precinct worker, and four years later she was precinct chairman. She began her association with the Bush clan with George H. W. Bush's campaigns, working his Senate races in 1964 and 1970. By the time he became vice-president in 1981, Dot already was "one of the family." She attended that inauguration, as well as his presidential swearing-in eight years later.

This time around, she attended the inauguration of George W. Bush, whom she had worked for during both his Texas gubernatorial campaigns. In 1999, she served three months as a full-time volunteer for the George W. Bush Presidential Exploratory Committee, working in the Texas finance committee headquarters. All that hard work paid off for her on Jan. 18 when the opening inaugural festivities got under way at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"It was exciting to be there for the outdoor event that lasted several hours, though the day was cold and rainy," she said. "We heard stirring music by military bands and by entertainers like Sandi Patti and Ricky Martin."

They also witnessed an impressive fireworks display that rivaled anything that's ever shot across the sky on the Fourth of July. Dot was part of a convoy of members from the Dallas Downtown Republican Women's Club that attended the event; others traveling with her were Alicia Alvarez, Doris Collins, Sandy Denton, Judge Faith Johnson, Mary Silva and Patricia Van Winkle.

The day before the inauguration, the women started the day with the Texas delegation inaugural breakfast at the Renaissance Hotel, then visited the offices of Congressmen Dick Armey and Sam Johnson and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Jan. 20, the big day, began with an open house at the office of Senator Hutchison, followed by the swearing-in ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the west steps of the Capitol. Dot said most of the Texas delegation watched the inaugural parade from bleachers along Pennsylvania Avenue, but as the weather got colder and the rain continued falling, they returned to their hotel rooms for a much warmer vantage point.

The ladies capped the day by having a ball - literally! They changed into evening wear and attended the 54th Presidential Inaugural Balls; Dot and Mary went to the Washington Convention Center, where they attended the Texas-Wyoming Ball, and Alicia and Sandy volunteered at the Washington Ball at the Washington Hilton Hotel.

The group returned home the next day, spending time visiting with WFAA-TV Channel 8 reporter Gloria Campos before boarding the plane, and watching ex-Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach limp around the room in jogging shoes, the victim of sore feet after spending three days breaking in a new pair of boots during the festivities.

"While political volunteers tend to think in terms of 'work,' our friendships and pleasant associations are to be savored and treasured," Dot points out in retrospect. And so, no doubt, will the photographs and memories from this special occasion.