George & Barbara Bush

There can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.
—George H.W. Bush

George and Barbara Bush had enormous love for each other, their family, and for all Americans. They believed that faith, family, and friends were the most important things in life. Together, they devoted their lives of purpose to serving others and giving to causes bigger than themselves. President Bush was determined to help make the United States “a kinder and gentler nation” in the face of a dramatically changing world.

When all the dust is settled and all the crowds are gone, the things that matter are faith, family, and friends.
—Barbara Bush

A Lifetime
of Service

1924

Born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts to Prescott and Dorothy Bush

1942

Enlists in United States Navy to Fight in World War II

1945

Marries Barbara Pierce in Rye, New York

1948

Captain of the Yale baseball team

1959

Launches Zapata Off-Shore Drilling Company

1963

Elected Chairman of the Harris County Republican Party

1966

Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

1971

Appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

1972

Serves as Chairman of the Republican National Committee

1974

Moves to Beijing, China to serve as Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office

1976

Sworn in as Director of Central Intelligence

1980

Elected as 43rd Vice President of the United States of America

1988

Elected as 41st President of the United States of America

1989

Sworn in as 41st President of the United States of America

1997

Dedication of the George Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University

2004

Launches Post-Presidency Disaster Relief Efforts with President Clinton

2009

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) commissioned