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Former United States (US) President Barack Obama on Saturday lauded 41st US President George H.W. Bush’s 70 years of devoted service following news of his death at age 94.
“While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Not merely for the years he spent as our forty-first President, but for more than 70 years he spent in devoted service to the country he loved,” Obama said in a statement on Twitter.
“From a decorated Naval aviator who nearly gave his life in the World War II, to Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, with plenty of posts along the way. Ambassador to the United Nations. Director of Central Intelligence. U.S. Envoy to China. Vice President of the United States,” Obama added.
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 died shortly after 10 p.m. Friday (US time), about eight months after the passing of his wife, Barbara.
Read more: Former President George H.W. Bush dies at age 94
Obama added that Bush’s life “is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling.”
Obama also highlighted Bush’s “diplomatic hand” which allowed to expand “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 ending the Cold War.”
Obama then, described Bush and his wife Barbara as “two points of light that never dimmed,” noting that they would be reunited.
“After seventy-three years of marriage, George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example,” the former US president said.
George served from 1989 to 1993. He was also a World War II hero, Texas congressman, Central Intelligence Agency director and Ronald Reagan’s vice president. /muf