[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9997]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              90TH BIRTHDAY OF PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Obviously much of Washington's focus this week has 
been on doing right by our veterans. That is exactly what we should be 
doing. We owe so much to the men and women who protect us. In that 
spirit I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge an important 
milestone just reached by one of America's most famous veterans.
  Today our Nation's 41st President, George H.W. Bush, turns 90. It is 
a rare milestone. Only 4 other presidents have ever reached it: Herbert 
Hoover, John Adams, Gerald Ford, and the man President Bush once served 
under, Ronald Reagan.
  Beyond wishing him a very happy birthday, I want to acknowledge 
President Bush's extraordinary record of service. On his 18th birthday 
the future President volunteered as a World War II Navy pilot, going on 
to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. From there he 
would go on to excel in a dizzying number of fields as a businessman, a 
Congressman, a diplomat, CIA Director, leader of his party, Vice 
President and President, and Commander in Chief during Desert Storm and 
Desert Shield.
  Even his post-Presidency has been marked by continuing and gracious 
willingness to serve. Yet for all of his professional distinction, I 
know President Bush's favorite job never appeared on his resume. It was 
his role as proud husband to Barbara, who also turned a year older this 
week, and as the father of five adoring children and proud grandfather 
and great-grandfather. Maybe that is why every time you see him these 
days he always has a big smile on his face and a lively pair of socks 
on his feet. With a loving family like that, it is not hard to see why.
  So I am proud to cosponsor the resolution we agreed to yesterday 
honoring this good man and former President for such a long lifetime of 
service. I know my colleagues join me in sending President Bush the 
warmest of birthday wishes.

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