Former President George W. Bush calls Midland’s Javaid Anwar “one of the most generous men I know” during the introduction of the profile on the Midlander in Bush’s new book “Out of Many, One – Portraits of America’s Immigrants.”
It is the latest – and one of the grandest honors – for the president and chief executive officer of Midland Energy and Petroplex Energy.
Another honor also came in March as Anwar was given the second highest civilian award from leaders in the country where he grew up – Pakistan. The award is called the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, or translated “Crescent of Excellence.”
Anwar’s giving side is well-known in Midland, where he has been honored with the Outstanding Philanthropist award from the Permian chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Hope award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
When talking about philanthropy -- whether it is a gift of $500,000 for the Centennial Park project or donations to Hillander School, universities, hospitals or even considerable international philanthropy to help those in Pakistan – Anwar mentions his mother and the example she set for sharing his fortune.
Anwar fondly recalls comments she made about his spending on clothes, reminding him that working hard is a greater indicator of success.
Anwar is one of two Midlanders featured among the 43 immigrants in the book – ChinaAid’s Bob Fu is the other. Anwar said he has long admired Bush, going back to Bush’s days as the governor of Texas. Anwar has long supported Bush with his friendship and political resources.
“(Bush) respected me, and we really became closer after he got done with office,” Anward said.
Anwar considers himself fortunate for coming to the country at age 18, for being able to attend the University of Wyoming, for becoming a petroleum engineer, for patterning himself after the stylish Roy Williamson and following through with a more philanthropic side because, in retrospect, he knew what it meant to not have it all growing up in Karachi.
So, just as he enjoyed having the nice suits, the Corvette and plane -- just like his mentor Williamson -- Anwar took advantage of the opportunities he’s been provided. It is the opportunity that allowed Anwar to make the deals, to go into business for himself and become a community man, no matter if his community was Midland or thousands of miles away in Karachi.
“I think God sent me over here to test me and what I can do for other human beings,” Anwar said. “And that has been my philosophy.”
Sometimes, he admitted, people will take advantage of him. An assistant also in the conference room nodded in agreement at the admission. They also told the story about being repaid for his giving, including when he thought he had given away nearly all he had, only to receive a six-figure check on the same afternoon.
Anwar not only is featured in “Out of Many, One” like former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright, former California Gov. and motion picture star Arnold Schwarzenegger and baseball superstar Albert Pujols, but he can boast a “full-blown” military ceremony when he received his “Crescent of Excellence.”
He said he typically returns to Pakistan once a year. If not for that opportunity that he saw first-hand in America, he might have returned to Pakistan after college. Giving back to his first home wasn’t just the right thing do, it was needed.
“In a poor country like Pakistan, you know, there are people who work for daily wages,” Anwar said. “And they lost their jobs. There was nothing going on. Big things started shutting down. So, there were people that were visiting with me, saying this is not that bad (in America). You should see the country over there. People don't have food to eat.”
In the end, the man honored by two presidents – one with a portrait and profile and the other with one of the country’s highest honors – looks to set an example for his children and his community. He is proof that if presented with opportunity, a hard-working person – even one from Pakistan -- can succeed and find his fortune in West Texas.
But life is not about the suits, planes, cars or other luxury items. That is not how Anwar is measured. His greatest honors have been because of the money he provided for others. That is why he is “one of the most generous men” that even a former president knows.
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