The nation will rise to mourn the sudden loss of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush who died late at night on Nov. 30, aged 94.
Family spokesman Jim McGrath Bush confirmed the former president died at 10:10 p.m. Central time.
Statement by the Office of George H. W. Bush on the passing of the 41st President of the United States of America this evening at 10:10pm CT at the age of 94. pic.twitter.com/XUPgha2aUW
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 1, 2018
“Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died,” The George W. Bush Presidential Center said on Twitter.
“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.”
Statement by the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, on the passing of his father this evening at the age 94. pic.twitter.com/oTiDq1cE7h
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 1, 2018
Assistant to the President Dan Scavino Jr. confirmed The White House has lowered the American flag to half-staff to honor the 41st president who lived longer than his predecessors, and even his wife Barbara who died aged 92 in April 2018.
“Now he is in God’s loving embrace with Mrs. Barbara Bush, his beloved wife of so many years. He has finished his race with honor and dignity. All who knew him and loved him—especially his remarkable family—will miss him. Yet, he lives on with us in spirit. Rest well, Mr. President,” former Secretary of State Condelezza Rice said on Facebook.
The American flag at the @WhiteHouse has been lowered to half-staff in honor of President George H.W. Bush. #RIP41????????
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) December 1, 2018
Bush will be remembered for his achievements in U.S. military and diplomacy to help America become the world’s leading superpower at a time when communism was collapsing in the Soviet Union, after the Cold War with Russia that lasted more than half a century.
Incumbent President Donald Trump praised Bush’s sound judgement, common sense, and “unflappable” leadership for bringing wealth to the nation.
“President Bush guided our nation, and the world, to a peaceful, and victorious conclusion of the Cold War,” Trump said in a Twitter post. “As President, he set the stage for 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.”
Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush pic.twitter.com/qxPsp4Ggs7
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018
Within hours of Bush’s death Texas A&M University students lay candles in the shape of a T, in front of the former president’s statue outside the Bush School building. The former president was widely known as an avid fan of the university’s football team.
Two hours after President George H.W. Bush's death, Texas A&M students lay candles in a Block T before his statue outside the Bush School. pic.twitter.com/f5ak9JNO0p
— Kenny Wiley (@KennySWiley) December 1, 2018
“One thing President George H. W. Bush loved was Texas A&M football … He will always be cherished for his love of Texas traditions,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Twitter.
One thing President George H. W. Bush loved was Texas A&M football. This was at a Texas—Texas A&M game in college station. He will always be cherished for his love of Texas traditions. pic.twitter.com/HoXyEpT5hC
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 1, 2018
Former President Barack Obama will remember Bush’s noble and joyous public service that did “tremendous good along the way” in ousting Iraqi forces from Kuwait through an aggressive response to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s invasion in 1990 that caused Bush’s popularity rating soar to 90 percent.
“America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude,” Obama said on Twitter.
“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.”
America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight – and all who were inspired by George and Barbara’s example. pic.twitter.com/g9OUPu2pjY
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 1, 2018
Bush was in office for one term, from 1989 to 1993. He lost the 1992 election due to voter backlash over breaking his first election’s “read my lips” promise not to raise taxes, and seeming too focused on foreign policy rather than domestic affairs.
Here is the letter Bush left Clinton in the Oval Office the day he left office. It is remarkable and a testament to the character of George H.W. Bush pic.twitter.com/Qg6M11IlwX
— Evan Siegfried (@evansiegfried) December 1, 2018
Pop singer Cher made peace with Bush, who she regretted calling “Poppy.” “Didn’t mean to take liberties or be disrespectful,” she said on Twitter.
MUCH OF MY LIFE I HEARD
GEORGE H.W. BUSH,REFERRED
TO AS POPPY BUSH.
DIDNT MEAN TO TAKE LIBERTIES OR BE DISRESPECTFUL.????— Cher (@cher) December 1, 2018
Students For Trump wished the “American hero and icon” can now “rest easy.”
An American hero and icon – rest easy, George H.W. Bush. pic.twitter.com/mDRgioXQqi
— Students For Trump (@TrumpStudents) December 1, 2018
The Baltimore Orioles baseball team announced plans to join in mourning the loss of the former president as well.
We join the country in mourning the loss of former President George H. W. Bush. pic.twitter.com/N1KxV56BMO
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) December 1, 2018
