The outgoing head of state visited the Texas city with his wife Laura this weekend. Bush took time to recall a promise he made to his friends and neighbors before becoming the leader of the United States, the Midland (Texas) Reporter-Telegram reported Sunday.

"This is the first time I have been back since I've been the president and it is a very heartwarming experience," Bush said Saturday. "I told my friends here when I left that I wasn't going to change as a person in the politics of Washington."

"I want them to know that even though I had to deal with a lot of tough issues, I'm still the same person they knew before."

The Reporter-Telegram said during their Texas visit, the president and first lady also took time to visit Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, and attended a Republican fundraiser for the Nov. 4 election.