In addition to his many accomplishments,George H. W. Bushwill be remembered for his big heart.
“Dear Bill,” the letter begins. “When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too. I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.”
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Without making any mention of their differing political opinions, the Republican wished his Democratic successor the best of luck.
“You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you,” he wrote.
The letter, which has been regarded as a heartwarming example of how politicians from across the aisle can put aside their political differences to maintain civility and respect for the Oval Office, has gone viral on social media in the wake of Bush’s death.
After sharing the text of the letter, Clinton, 72, wrote that “no words of mine or others can better reveal the heart of who he was than those he wrote himself.”
“Given what politics looks like in America and around the world today, it’s easy to sigh and say George H. W. Bush belonged to an era that is gone and never coming back — where our opponents are not our enemies, where we are open to different ideas and changing our minds, where facts matter and where our devotion to our children’s future leads to honest compromise and shared progress,” he continued, adding that Bush would never stand for such a dismissive attitude.
“I know what he would say: ‘Nonsense. It’s your duty to get that America back,'” Clinton added.
“Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service — to be, in his words, ‘a thousand points of light’ illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world,” the statement read.
Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush.Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Although Trumpdid not attendformer First Lady Barbara Bush’s funeral in April, the president plans to be in attendance at Bush’s funeral, and will also mark Wednesday as a national day of mourning.
“The President and First Lady will attend the funeral for President George H. W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington,” the White Housetweetedon Saturday.
“A state funeral is being arranged with all of the accompanying support and honors,” Press SecretarySarah Huckabee Sanderssaid in a statement, according to theWashington Post.
George H. W. Bush.Pam Francis/Getty
The former president died on Friday night at 10:10 p.m., his spokesperson Jim McGrath confirmed. He was 94.
source: people.com
