Trump, Obama, Clinton mourn
The United States of America has lost its 41st president, Mr. George H.W. Bush, who presided over the end of the Cold War and routed Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi army. He died on Friday night at the age of 94, a family spokesman said.
Bush lived longer than any of his predecessors. His death at 10:10 p.m. Central time was announced in a statement issued by longtime spokesman Jim McGrath.
Bush lost a chance for a second term after breaking a no-new-taxes pledge. But his son who bears his name, came in as the 43rd President after the era of Bill Clinton.
The family also went on their twitter handle to announce the death Friday night.
“George Herbert Walker Bush, World War II naval aviator, Texas oil pioneer, and 41st President of the United States of America, died on November 30, 2018. He was 94 and is survived by his five children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and two siblings,” the former president’s office said in a statement.
“He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; his second child Pauline “Robin” Bush; and his brothers Prescott and William or “Bucky” Bush.”
His son George W. Bush, who served as the country’s 43rd president, released a statement of his own from the family.
“Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died. “George H. W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41’s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens.” George W. Bush said.
Bush was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital with a blood infection on April 22 — two days after the funeral for his wife of 73 years, former first lady Barbara Bush.
He is survived by his five children, including former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Bush was with his wife when she died at the age of 92 on April 17.
“He, of course, is broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara, his wife of 73 years. He held her hand all day and was at her side when [she] left this good earth,” a statement from his office said after her death.
“But it will not surprise all of you who know and love him that he also is being stoic and strong, and is being lifted up by his large and supportive family.”
Meanwhile, U.S President Mr. Donald Trump, and wife, Melania have mourned the death of former president.
Also, former President Barack Obama and wife, Michelle, as well as former president Bill Clinton and wife Hillary, also mourned the 41st president of the U.S.
Trump and Melania, in a joint statement, praised Bush for his “sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership’’, adding he inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service.
The Trumps said: “With sound judgement, common sense and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our nation and the world to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War.
“As president, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed.
“And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction’’.
The Obamas, in a statement, said Bush’s life was “a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling.
“And he did tremendous good along the journey’’.
They also credited the former president, who was the U.S. 41st president and served from 1989 to 1993, with “expanding America’s promise to new immigrants and people with disabilities’’.
“Reducing the scourge of nuclear weapons and building a broad international coalition to expel a dictator from Kuwait.
“And when democratic revolutions bloomed across Eastern Europe, it was his steady, diplomatic hand that made possible an achievement once thought anything but – ending the Cold War without firing a shot.
“It’s a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though he’d want all of us to try,’’ the Obamas said.
The Clintons, in a statement issued on Saturday, said Bush’s extensive record of public service was rare, with his years in the military, in Congress, the United Nations, China, the Central Intelligence Agency, and as vice president and president.
The statement read: “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President George H. W. Bush and give thanks for his great long life of service, love and friendship.
“I am grateful for every minute I spent with him and will always hold our friendship as one of my life’s greatest gifts’’.
Clinton, who defeated Bush in the 1992 presidential election, said he was always struck by Bush’s “innate and genuine decency’’ and by his devotion to his wife Barbara and his family.
Clinton added that Bush never stopped serving even after leaving office, working on tsunami relief in Asia and within the U.S. after Hurricane Katrina.
His son, George W. Bush also became the 43rd president eight years later, becoming the only other U.S. president, who had a son who also became president, after John Adams.
Bush’s wife and former first lady Barbara, died at the age of 92 on April 17, and he was survived by his five children, including former president George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.