Houston ramps up security for dignitaries to attend Barbara Bush's funeral

HOUSTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Houston Police Department (HPD) is ramping up security this weekend as dignitaries came to Houston to attend the funeral for former First Lady Barbara Bush who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 92.

During a press conference Thursday, HPD Chief Art Acevedo confirmed that First Lady Melania Trump, former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, and Barack Obama and his wife Michelle will attend the funeral scheduled for Saturday.

A large crowd of Texans are also expected to travel to Houston to attend services honoring Bush.

In order to make sure the events run smoothly, safety measures during this weekend will be tight, Acevedo said.

The public can pay respects to Barbara Bush on Friday at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, a few blocks from the home she and her husband, former President George Bush, built. The funeral will be held at the same church.

After the funeral, she will be buried on the grounds of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, near the grave of her daughter, Robin, who died at three after battling leukemia.

Barbara Bush served as the first lady during her husband's presidency between 1989 and 1993. She is also the mother of former President George W. Bush, who served between 2001 and 2009. Enditem