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| George H. W. Bush |
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Born on June 12th, 1924, Geroge
H.W. Bush was the 41st President
of the United States as a member
of the Republican Party succeeding
Ronald Reagan.
George Bush brought to the White
House a dedication to traditional
American values and a
determination to direct them toward
making the United States "a kinder
and gentler nation." In his
Inaugural Address he pledged in "a
moment rich with promise" to use
American strength as "a force for
good."
H.W. Bush was the 41st President
of the United States as a member
of the Republican Party succeeding
Ronald Reagan.
George Bush brought to the White
House a dedication to traditional
American values and a
determination to direct them toward
making the United States "a kinder
and gentler nation." In his
Inaugural Address he pledged in "a
moment rich with promise" to use
American strength as "a force for
good."
Coming from a family with a tradition of public service, George Herbert Walker Bush felt the
responsibility to make his contribution both in time of war and in peace. Born in Milton,
Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924, he became a student leader at Phillips Academy in
Andover. On his 18th birthday he enlisted in the armed forces. The youngest pilot in the Navy
when he received his wings, he flew 58 combat missions during World War II. On one mission
over the Pacific as a torpedo bomber pilot he was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire and
was rescued from the water by a U. S. submarine. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross for bravery in action.
Bush next turned his energies toward completing his education and raising a family. In
January 1945 he married Barbara Pierce. They had six children-- George, Robin (who died as a
child), John (known as Jeb), Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy.
At Yale University he excelled both in sports and in his studies; he was captain of the
baseball team and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation Bush embarked on a career
in the oil industry of West Texas.
Like his father, Prescott Bush, who was elected a Senator from Connecticut in 1952, George
became interested in public service and politics. He served two terms as a Representative to
Congress from Texas. Twice he ran unsuccessfully for the Senate. Then he was appointed to a
series of high-level positions: 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 campaigned for the Republican nomination for President. He lost, but was
chosen as a running mate by Ronald Reagan. As Vice President, Bush had responsibility in
several domestic areas, including Federal deregulation and anti-drug programs, and visited
scores of foreign countries. In 1988 Bush won the Republican nomination for President and,
with Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his running mate, he defeated Massachusetts
Governor Michael Dukakis in the general election.
Bush faced a dramatically changing world, as the Cold War ended after 40 bitter years, the
Communist empire broke up, and the Berlin Wall fell. The Soviet Union ceased to exist; and
reformist President Mikhail Gorbachev, whom Bush had supported, resigned. While Bush
hailed the march of democracy, he insisted on restraint in U. S. policy toward the group of
new nations.
In other areas of foreign policy, President Bush sent American troops into Panama to
overthrow the corrupt regime of General Manuel Noriega, who was threatening the security of
the canal and the Americans living there. Noriega was brought to the United States for trial
as a drug trafficker.
Bush's greatest test came when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, then
threatened to move into Saudi Arabia. Vowing to free Kuwait, Bush rallied the United
Nations, the U. S. people, and Congress and sent 425,000 American troops. They were joined
by 118,000 troops from allied nations. After weeks of air and missile bombardment, the
100-hour land battle dubbed Desert Storm routed Iraq's million-man army.
Despite unprecedented popularity from this military and diplomatic triumph, Bush was unable
to withstand discontent at home from a faltering economy, rising violence in inner cities, and
continued high deficit spending. In 1992 he lost his bid for reelection to Democrat Bill Clinton.
responsibility to make his contribution both in time of war and in peace. Born in Milton,
Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924, he became a student leader at Phillips Academy in
Andover. On his 18th birthday he enlisted in the armed forces. The youngest pilot in the Navy
when he received his wings, he flew 58 combat missions during World War II. On one mission
over the Pacific as a torpedo bomber pilot he was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire and
was rescued from the water by a U. S. submarine. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross for bravery in action.
Bush next turned his energies toward completing his education and raising a family. In
January 1945 he married Barbara Pierce. They had six children-- George, Robin (who died as a
child), John (known as Jeb), Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy.
At Yale University he excelled both in sports and in his studies; he was captain of the
baseball team and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation Bush embarked on a career
in the oil industry of West Texas.
Like his father, Prescott Bush, who was elected a Senator from Connecticut in 1952, George
became interested in public service and politics. He served two terms as a Representative to
Congress from Texas. Twice he ran unsuccessfully for the Senate. Then he was appointed to a
series of high-level positions: 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 campaigned for the Republican nomination for President. He lost, but was
chosen as a running mate by Ronald Reagan. As Vice President, Bush had responsibility in
several domestic areas, including Federal deregulation and anti-drug programs, and visited
scores of foreign countries. In 1988 Bush won the Republican nomination for President and,
with Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his running mate, he defeated Massachusetts
Governor Michael Dukakis in the general election.
Bush faced a dramatically changing world, as the Cold War ended after 40 bitter years, the
Communist empire broke up, and the Berlin Wall fell. The Soviet Union ceased to exist; and
reformist President Mikhail Gorbachev, whom Bush had supported, resigned. While Bush
hailed the march of democracy, he insisted on restraint in U. S. policy toward the group of
new nations.
In other areas of foreign policy, President Bush sent American troops into Panama to
overthrow the corrupt regime of General Manuel Noriega, who was threatening the security of
the canal and the Americans living there. Noriega was brought to the United States for trial
as a drug trafficker.
Bush's greatest test came when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, then
threatened to move into Saudi Arabia. Vowing to free Kuwait, Bush rallied the United
Nations, the U. S. people, and Congress and sent 425,000 American troops. They were joined
by 118,000 troops from allied nations. After weeks of air and missile bombardment, the
100-hour land battle dubbed Desert Storm routed Iraq's million-man army.
Despite unprecedented popularity from this military and diplomatic triumph, Bush was unable
to withstand discontent at home from a faltering economy, rising violence in inner cities, and
continued high deficit spending. In 1992 he lost his bid for reelection to Democrat Bill Clinton.
