President George H.W. Bush Remembered

Dec 01, 2018 Washington, D.C. —

The White House Historical Association joins the nation in remembrance of President George Herbert Walker Bush and the character, prudence and leadership he brought to his role as 41st President of the United States.

Beginning Saturday, December 1, 2018, an official condolence book for George H.W. Bush will be available for the public to sign at the White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania, Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20230. The Center is open daily from 7:30a.m. – 4:00p.m.

“President Bush, along with First Lady Barbara Bush, deeply appreciated their opportunity to be stewards of the White House and understood the importance of preserving its rich history for future generations,” said Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “They reactivated the Committee for the Preservation of the White House and helped establish the White House Endowment Trust, which continues to provide financial assistance for acquisitions, refurbishing, and conservation work in the White House collections.”

As president, Bush brought to the White House a wish for Americans to be “points of light” and make the United States "a kinder and gentler nation.” He created Points of Light, a foundation to promote the importance of volunteerism, a position that succeeding presidents have acknowledged and shared. Having come from a family with a tradition of public service, Bush felt the responsibility to make his contribution in times of war and peace.

Born in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924, Bush became a student leader at Phillips Academy. He delayed his enrollment at Yale University during WWII to enlist in the armed forces on his 18^th birthday. He went on to fly as one of the youngest pilots in the United States Navy, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action after being shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire and then rescued from the water by an American submarine.

In January 1945, Bush married Barbara Pierce. They had six children -- George, Robin (who died at age three), Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy. Bush was father to the 43rd President, George W. Bush, only the second time a father and son have both served as presidents of the United States.

After a successful career in the oil industry in Texas, Bush followed his father and began a career in politics and public service. He served as a member of the United States Congress, candidate for United States Senate, ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee, chief of the U. S. Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

In 1980, Bush lost the Republican nomination for president but was chosen as a running mate by Ronald Reagan, eventually becoming Vice President. In 1988, Bush won the Republican nomination for president and went on to become President of the United States from 1989 to 1993. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2011.

Additional information and resources are available at WhiteHouseHistory.org.