George H.W. Bush will be remembered for his decency and his sense of duty towards the nation. He was undoubtedly one of the best qualified public servants that this country has seen. Reading his resume is enough to understand that the late president dedicated himself to serving his country, his family, and the creation of a better world.
His son, George W. Bush called him “a man of integrity,” as he broke down in tears. He added: “a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have”. Joe Watkins, a former White House adviser under George H. W. Bush talked about how everyone present at the ceremony in the National Cathedral was crying. There is little doubt that he was loved and admired by those around him, friends and family, and those who served in his government. Historian Jon Meacham, who wrote Bush’s biography, referred to Bush as “the last great statesman”.
George W. Bush united his father and former President Bill Clinton to help raise funds and distribute aid after the Asian tsunami. James Baker, who served as Chief of Staff and Secretary of State for George H. Bush, has given several interviews to talk about his great friendship with the late president. They were friends all their lives and Baker worked in the political campaigns of Bush. They referred to each other as brothers.
The late president was a war hero whose plane was shot down over the Pacific. He also served as Senator, Ambassador, Director of the CIA and Vice President of Ronald Reagan. It was his experience as Vice President of Reagan that gave Bush the opportunity to sharpen his diplomatic skills, something that later allowed him, as president, to deal with aplomb and intelligence when the Soviet Union was dissolved. He wanted at all costs to avoid excessive or excessive celebration so as not to embarrass Michael Gorbachev, who was the leader of the Soviet Union. Bush’s diplomatic approach allowed Gorbachev to approach the dismantling of the Soviet Empire, freeing the countries from the Iron Curtain. At that time it was tempting, Bush said later, to send diplomatic envoys to the capitals of those countries to ensure their independence from the Soviets. But Bush’s moderate approach paid off when he was able to open diplomatic missions in those countries that later joined NATO.
Reagan and Bush have credit for helping to dismantle the Soviet empire, after Reagan issued his challenge to the Soviet leader, demanding: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Bush’s experience and his diplomacy contributed to ease the transition. He also left other legislation: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was his idea. Bush will also be remembered for building the international coalition that evicted Saddam Hussein from Kwait and forced his army to retreat to Baghdad. Bush promised not to raise taxes and breaking that promise cost him the presidency, Clinton reaped the fruits of his economic policies. George W. Bush gave emotional praise to “Papa”. A well-deserved tribute to a man of integrity and humility.
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