[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1647-E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING PRESIDENT GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 10, 2018

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of President George Herbert Walker Bush. A patriot and family man, the 
41st President of the United States served his country honorably 
throughout his decades of public service. From the House of 
Representatives to the White House, he was a man of character who 
instilled strong conservative values in his leadership.
  In 1942, just 6 months after Pearl Harbor, the loss of life and 
destruction motivated the future president to join the Navy on his 18th 
birthday. He would become one of the youngest aviators in our country's 
history; having completed his training, he was commissioned just three 
days before turning 19 years old. In 1944, he and his crew would 
partake in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, a crucial battle of WWII 
that disabled Japan's ability to conduct large-scale aircraft carrier 
operations. At just 19 years old, he risked his life and took a stand 
for democracy, a part of the greatest generation who heard and answered 
the call of duty.
  Piloting his own airplane, a Grumman TBF Avenger, the young aviator 
and his crew took heavy fire near the Bonin Islands during a bombing 
run. His airplane was damaged and the engine caught fire as he 
attempted to maneuver away from the fight after successfully dropping 
his payload. Unfortunately, he was the only aviator to escape with his 
life of those shot down during that bombing raid. Awaiting rescue in 
the waters of the Pacific after his

[[Page E1648]]

plane went down, George H.W. Bush would emerge from this profound 
experience further motivated to give back to his country and would go 
on to serve in many capacities to our nation's benefit. He always 
questioned that day, and why he was the one to survive, and I quote

       ``Why had I been spared and what did God have in store for 
     me? In my own view there's got to be some kind of destiny and 
     I was being spared for something on Earth.''

  It was during the Second World War where he met the love his life, 
Barbara Pierce, and they would have 6 beautiful children together. 
After the war George H.W. Bush enrolled in Yale, graduating early in an 
accelerated economics program while captain of the baseball team. He 
would go on to play in the first two Collegiate World Series as a first 
baseman. Upon graduation, the family relocated to West Texas where he 
began in the oil industry working his way up from an equipment salesman 
to president of his own company. Young and ambitious, Mr. Bush would 
begin his political career in the 1960s with the Harris County 
Republican party, and the rest is history.
  George H.W. Bush was an inspiration and role model to so many wanting 
to join public service and make our country a better place, including 
myself. A member of the Texas State House at the time of his 
presidency, it was a privilege to see a fellow Texan so passionate and 
determined to leave our country a better place than when he started. 
His presidential legacy began on January 20, 1989, when he addressed 
the country as our 41st President. In his inaugural address, he spoke 
about the tremendous power placed into the hands of the president. His 
first act was asking the country to join him in prayer where he 
emphasized the importance of wielding this incredible power bestowed 
upon him to help people, and he embodied these words throughout his 
tenure.
  Reflecting upon the major accomplishments of President George H.W. 
Bush, one of his defining moments was signing the Americans with 
Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990. The ADA enacted protections 
and vital reforms for those with physical and/or mental disabilities. 
His son, President George W. Bush, would later sign the ADA Amendments 
Act into law in 2008. It expanded the definition of disability and 
increased protections for many others.
  Another notable event of George H.W. Bush's presidency was his 
leadership during the Gulf War. Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, had 
invaded Kuwait in the summer of 1990 and occupied most of the country. 
The events quickly escalated while President Bush began to rally 
support from our allies across the world, forming a unified front 
against Iraq's aggressive actions. In January of 1991, U.S. involvement 
in the Gulf War began with an extensive aerial bombardment, and 
proceeded into an intensive ground campaign that resulted in the 
liberation of Kuwait in late February of 1991. President Bush saw the 
incredible threat to freedom and democracy that Saddam Hussein 
presented, and knew that the military might of the United States was 
necessary to stifle the Iraqi army's advancements, and free Kuwait of 
potential tyranny.
  While I could continue down the long list of his accomplishments and 
incalculable contributions, George H.W. Bush made a real difference at 
home and abroad. He understood the strength of community and wanted to 
use the power of the people to help each other and solve community 
issues as part of his Thousand Points of Lights Theme. Our nation is 
lucky to have had such a sensible man serve as our President. God Bless 
President George H.W. Bush and the positive impact he made for so many 
along the way.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I 
ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring the lasting 
legacy and distinguished service of President George Herbert Walker 
Bush.