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Trump, Obama, Clinton extol ex-president Bush’s leadership

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6 years ago

December 1, 2018

U. S . President Donald Trump and wife , Melania have mourned the death of former president George H . W. Bush , who died on Friday night at the age of 94 .Former President Barack Obama and wife , Michelle , as well as former president Bill Clinton and wife Hillary , also mourned the 41 st 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 . 41 st 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 43 rd 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 .

( NAN )