Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush

Press Release:

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement this morning on the passing of former President George H.W. Bush:

“Our nation has lost a true patriot.  As a young fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War, George H.W. Bush risked his life to defend this country, and was shot down on a dangerous mission.  As a Member of Congress, as U.N. Ambassador, as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, as Vice President, and then as President, he was a public servant who devoted his career to the American people.  As a successful businessman and a loving husband and father, he worked hard to put the American Dream within reach of his fellow citizens.  
 
“I am deeply saddened by President Bush’s passing.  Even though we stood on opposite sides of the aisle, I respected him very much and admired his service and steadfastness to the causes he believed in.  I was proud to work with him in 1990 to enact the bipartisan Americans with Disabilities Act, historic legislation that opened doors of access for millions with differing abilities.  As Chairman of the Helsinki Commission during his presidency, I also worked with him and his team to assure the newly freed nations of the former Warsaw Bloc of America’s friendship and support for their burgeoning democracies.  President Bush applied his deft hand to the careful management of a volatile period of transition, and built a global coalition to stand up to Saddam Hussein when that brutal dictator tried to seize a neighbor nation by force of arms.  After leaving office, President Bush continued to promote volunteerism, himself a bright point of light among the thousands he inspired.  In the last few years, he spoke out against racism, intolerance, and xenophobia. 
 
“I join with Americans from all walks of life today in expressing my condolences to the entire Bush family, including former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush.  Their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather will be remembered not only for his leadership of this nation but for his seven-decade partnership with his beloved wife Barbara; for his life of service; for his love of baseball, our national pastime; for his kind heart and soul; and for his unyielding faith in the American idea.  Farewell, Mr. President, and thank you.”