Donors pay for carrier Bush commissioning

The carrier George H.W. Bush may be built with taxpayer money, but its commissioning and amenities are a privately funded affair. The Navy League of the United States, Hampton Roads Council, has spearheaded the fundraising effort. The league has raised about $4 million so far, said Maryellen Baldwin, its executive director.

About 90 percent of this money will go to enhancements on the ship. These include the ship's library, chapel, learning resource center and ceremonial quarter deck, as well as the tribute room in honor of the ship's namesake, which is a part of all carriers.

Donations range from the Presidential level ($500,000) to Shipmate ($50) and include a mix of individuals, famous and unknown, and large corporations.

Here's a look at the top contributors:

Presidential Level ($500,000)

• Hushang and Shahla Ansary. Hushang Ansary is chairman of the Parman Capital Group, a Houston-based global investment firm, and a trustee of the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation. He is Iran's former minister of economic affairs and finance and former ambassador to the United States.
• The Grainger Foundation
• Illinois-based foundation that gives to a wide range of causes.

Five Star Admiral Level ($250,000)

• AT&T Telecommunications giant.
• The Boeing Co. Aircraft manufacturer.
• Northrop Grumman Corp. The carrier's builder.
• PMX Industries Inc. (Poongsan Corp. ) PMX is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based brass and copper rolling mill. It is a subsidiary of South Korea-based Poongsan.

Four Star Admiral Level ($100,000)

• Faircount Media Group Media company, including magazine publishing and online services.
• Susan & Tom Friedkin and Debra & Dan Friedkin Houston-based family, involved with Toyota's U.S. distribution and other enterprises.
• Hearst Communications Inc. Media giant
• Glen and Gloria Holden He served as U.S. ambassador to Jamaica, 1989-93.
• Herb and Natalie Kohler and Kohler Co. Wisconsin-based family and corporation that makes faucets, furniture and engines.
• Anne and John Marion She runs Burnett Oil Co. and has a ranch in Texas; he's on Sotheby's advisory board.
• Linda and Jim McIngvale He's known as "Mattress Mack" and runs Houston-based Gallery Furniture.
• Frank and Juliette Reidy Beach-based couple. He has been involved in ship repair, engine sales, and ODU's Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics.
• Marilyn Ware She was U.S. ambassador to Finland under George W. Bush. Prior to that, she headed what is now known as American Water.