Presidents And Former Colleagues React To George H.W. Bush's Death

The current and former U.S. presidents have been offering their condolences and paying tribute to the 41st president, George Herbert Walker Bush, who died Friday night at his Houston home. He was 94.

President Trump, who is in Argentina for the Group of 20 summit, offered praise for Bush, saying in a statement, "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service to be, in his words, 'a thousand points of light' illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world."

He added, "President Bush always found a way to set the bar higher."

Trump told reporters Saturday that he called the late president's sons George W. and Jeb Bush to express his sympathies. He and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend Bush's funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. A state funeral is also being arranged.

The president will designate Dec. 5 as a national day of mourning, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

Former President Barack Obama said, "America has lost a patriot and humble servant" and described the "tremendous good" Bush accomplished in his life — from helping new immigrants to reducing nuclear weapons and "ending the Cold War without firing a shot."

Former President George W. Bush called him "the best dad a son or daughter could ask for." He said the family was grateful for his father's life and love and for the compassion and condolences of people who cared and prayed for him.

In a statement, former President Bill Clinton described Bush's long record of service in the military, Congress, the CIA and as president, where he served from 1989 to 1993. "He never stopped serving," Clinton said. "I am profoundly grateful for every minute I spent with President Bush and will always hold our friendship as one of my life's greatest gifts."

Clinton also penned an op-ed in The Washington Post on Saturday, writing that many people were surprised at their relationship "considering we were once political adversaries." Clinton defeated Bush in the 1992 election. He said Bush "could be tough in a political fight, he was in it for the right reasons: People always came before politics, patriotism before partisanship."

Former President Jimmy Carter said the Republican's administration "was marked by grace, civility and social conscience." The Democrat added that through the Points of Light initiative that Bush founded, which promotes volunteerism, he embraced "a uniquely American volunteer spirit" and bipartisan support.

Former Vice President Dan Quayle published an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal in which he reminisced about Bush's calm, kind character in the face of global changes and a Congress controlled by Democrats.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi tweeted, "I am deeply grateful to his family for having shared such a wonderful man with us all. May it be a comfort to them to know that so many Americans mourn with them."

She later called him "a gentleman of the highest integrity and deepest patriotism," adding that "his life and legacy will remain an enduring gift to the nation." - Read More

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