The greatness of George Mitchell is undeniable.  Which brings up a question.  Where does 'Greatness' come from?  George Mitchell believed Education is the place to start.  In 2010, Mitchell wrote an open letter on the importance of Education.  Here is an excerpt: 

I was born in Galveston, Texas, to Greek immigrant parents.  I was a teenager during the Great Depression.  Although I grew up in a very meager, yet loving, environment, I always considered myself fortunate to live in America where the opportunities are unlimited.  Yet sometimes we seem to take it all for granted.  I disagree.  I believe we need to create opportunities for others wherever we can.

I quickly learned that a good education, hard work, dedication, willing mentors, and a few lucky breaks can mean the difference between success and failure. 

Throughout my life I've seen firsthand how even a little financial assistance could mean a chance for struggling students, dedicated scientists, and families to reach their goals.

I have witnessed how underwriting large-scale academic programs, performing arts, and medical research programs can be quite appealing.  Those ventures have far-reaching, long-term benefits for society as a whole, often extending for successive generations.
 

George Mitchell followed his own advice.  He valued his education so highly that he made sure to reward his school many times over.  His unsurpassed record of philanthropy speaks for itself.  At the time of his passing in 2013, Mitchell was far and away the largest donor in the history of Texas A&M. 

In 1935, George Mitchell was accepted into Texas A&M, a school with a strong petrochemical engineering program.  It only took Mitchell four years to earn his five-year degree in petroleum engineering.  Not only did he accelerate his program, Mitchell graduated as valedictorian of his class. 

While it is clear George Mitchell was born with a will to succeed, he was also well aware of the importance of education.  George Mitchell's gratitude towards Texas A&M was unsurpassed.  Whenever he was asked about the secret of his success, Mitchell made sure to credit his beloved school for giving him the knowledge and training necessary to make his mark in the world.

Who could have predicted the son of a poor Greek immigrant would make billions of dollars finding oil and gas in places where others never thought to look?  George Mitchell made it clear that his A&M training was responsible for his insight.  When the day came when he realized he possessed far more money than he would ever need, Mitchell knew exactly what he wished to do: Give back. 

Noted author J.K. Rowling said it the best. 

"When a person has been given far more than they need, they have a moral responsibility to do wise things and give intelligently."

Mitchell definitely embraced that principle.  His visionary support for his alma mater included 135 acres for Texas A&M University at Galveston’s main campus.   Then there was the $88 million to Texas A&M Physics and Astronomy.  Add to that a more recent $20 million dollar legacy gift in 2012 to benefit his namesake Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy up at College Station.  Not only that, due to fond memories as captain of the A&M tennis team, he built a fabulous tennis court at the school complete with stadium-style seating.

Admiral Robert Smith III, the school's president, offered high praise for A&M's favorite son.

"To say George Mitchell was a great man with foresight and generosity isn't enough.  His contributions to this university literally made this institution possible."

Brother and Sister has been the story of how the good deeds of a unlikely source... the Godfather of Galveston... led to profound future consequences.  It was Sam Maceo's generosity that made all of George Mitchell's accomplishments possible. 

I am certain Sam Maceo was on George Mitchell's mind on the day he realized his hometown was in serious trouble.  Surely Mitchell understood that turning things around would not be easy.  It would require great sacrifice and the venture had no guarantee of eventual success.  The scariest aspect was the self-awareness that he was the only man with the resources and know-how to accomplish this feat.  I have to wonder if Mitchell suspected that saving Galveston was his Destiny.  

Both Mitchell and his sister Maria were well aware that Sam Maceo had given them the luckiest break of their life. I believe Maceo's improbable gesture to finance George and Maria's education touched Mitchell in a profound way.  Amazed that such an important man would go out of his way to help him and his sister Maria, George Mitchell was taught the most important lesson of his life - the Power of Kindness. 

And now it was time to repay the favor.  George Mitchell took his profound gratitude and used it as motivation to go about the rescue of the city both he and and his predecessor loved.

I found it interesting to discover the 400 yards symbolism.  This was not an accident, but rather proof that George Mitchell had the sense to copy his predecessor.  Growing up in heyday of Sam Maceo, I am convinced Mitchell knew from personal experience the importance of Tourism to Galveston's economy.  Tourism creates jobs.  As a simple example, Tourism helped pay Mitchell's way to college.  Those hungry tourists gave Mitchell a reason to make frequent fishing trips in Galveston Bay after school.  Helping resupply the busy seafood restaurants such as Maceo's Balinese Room, Mitchell paid his own way to A&M. 

No doubt George Mitchell was a student of Galveston's history.  I suspect he was fully versed in the legend of Galveston as the premier deep-water port in the Gulf of Mexico.  But not any more.  As things stood, those empty docks were an open invitation for Mitchell to pursue the cruise industry. 

However, there was a major problem.  While Mitchell understood that Cruise-related Tourism was the fastest way fill island hotels to capacity, he knew Galveston's best hotels were located on the beach side of the island two miles away.  Mitchell needed something close to the docks on the opposite industrial side.

Recalling Sam Maceo's decision to locate the Balinese Room 400 hundred yards from the Hotel Galvez, Mitchell needed a grand hotel within walking distance of the proposed cruise terminal.  During his efforts to revitalize the historic Strand District, Mitchell selected Tremont House to become his "other side of the island" substitute for Hotel Galvez.  Although there was no guarantee he could persuade the cruise industry to come to Galveston, Mitchell purchased the Tremont in 1981 for an undisclosed price (surely a multi-million dollar transaction).  Then he restored the ancient building to mint condition at the cost of a cool $20 million.  This was George Mitchell in action.  He gambled a fortune based strictly on his foresight. 

Some might say that Mitchell knew all along the cruise ships would come eventually.  I totally disagree.  Starting in the latter part of the 1970s, the Galveston Port Authority began contacting Carnival Cruise line.  At the time Mitchell purchased the Tremont House, so far Carnival had not shown a bit of interest.  However, I will say the purchase of the Tremont House gave Mitchell a very powerful reason to take matters into his own hands.  But even then there was no guarantee.  There was a 20-year gap between his 1981 Tremont purchase and the debut sailing of the first cruise ship out of Galveston.  It had to be immensely satisfying to George Mitchell to see his vision finally come true.

I found it very interesting how quickly Galveston entrepreneurs caught on to Mitchell's Renaissance.  Shortly after Mitchell got the ball rolling, Moody Gardens, a fabulous nature preserve enclosed within a giant pyramid, entered the scene.  Soon to follow were Schlitterbahn, a terrific water park (2006).  Then came the Pleasure Pier amusement park complete with rollercoaster (2012).  Further developments included the emergence of the trolley cars as a fun way to see the island. 

Not to be outdone, tours were offered to view the beautiful, fully-restored Victorian architecture such as the Moody Mansion built in 1895.  With a nod to Sam Maceo, there was a Mob Tour.  With a nod to the Great Storm, there was a movie made that told the story and could be viewed at Pier 21 on the Strand.  With a nod to Galveston's early days as a pirate hangout, there was a Pirate Tour.  Then of course there was the popular Ghost Tour.  The beaches offered year-round family entertainment and the restaurants were exceptional.  Throw in popular events such as Mardi Gras and Dickens on the Strand, people had all sorts of reasons to flock to this pleasure mecca.  One tourist at a time, Galveston's reputation grew.  When someone visited Galveston to take a cruise, they were pleased to discover Galveston rivaled San Antonio as the best place in Texas to visit in search of fun.

The halcyon days of Sam Maceo once brought great prosperity to Galveston.  This period lasted nearly thirty years, but then things became very bleak over the next quarter century.  Fortunately, Maceo's fondness for helping the less fortunate would one day pay a giant dividend.  Some would call Maceo a sinner while others viewed his benevolence as a blessing. 

The point is that no matter what a person's station in life might be, their willingness to extend Kindness to others can make a huge difference.  $100 from the pocket of a wealthy man like Sam Maceo was a drop in the bucket to him, but to a struggling George Mitchell, it was the lifeline that allowed him to continue his cherished A&M education. 

Look what happened next.  George Mitchell went on to use that degree in geology and petroleum science to free America from Arab oil dependence.  As they say in the business world, Sam Maceo got quite a return on his investment of $100.

However, this story goes much deeper than that.  In their day, Sam Maceo and George Mitchell were both referred to as "Mr. Galveston".  They were given this title out of respect and gratitude for the steps they took to revive Galveston from economic ruin.  This much many people know.  People were well aware of George Mitchell's role during Galveston's return.  In addition, the story of how Sam Maceo assisted George Mitchell has appeared in print several times.

However, not once have I seen a single article to suggest the two men might have had a spiritual connection.  Why do you suppose that is?  My guess is that people familiar with George Mitchell's life story may have thought it, but no one had the courage to say so in print and risk sounding foolish.  Fortunately, I feel no restraint.  That is because Mitchell's sister Maria told me the story of Maceo's involvement in a deeply personal way.

George Mitchell found oil in places no one else ever thought to look.  He got it right on Fracking, he got it right on The Woodlands, he got it right on Galveston, and he got it right in his pursuit of the cruise industry.  Prior to each adventure Mitchell was inundated by a barrage of criticism and negativity.  Gifted with a stubbornness born of self-confidence in his considerable talent, Mitchell refused to yield despite repeated initial failures that seemingly vindicated his opponents. 

It took Mitchell 15 years to find the correct method for fracking.  It took him 40 years to complete the Woodlands to his satisfaction.  It took him 30 years to help Galveston regain prosperity.  It took him 15 years to secure the cruise ships.  Undaunted, Mitchell always invested his own money if that is what it took to see his vision come true.  It is one thing to move forward when encouragement is present.  It also helps when someone else offers to foot the bill.  Not so for George Mitchell.  In Mitchell's case, he bravely moved forward strictly on the strength of his own conviction.  Every time Mitchell was proven right in the end.