Former President George H.W. Bush Dies: Rep. Cole (Chickasaw) Mourns His Loss

U.S. President George H.W. Bush speaks during a fundraiser in Dallas, on Nov. 1, 1991.

Published December 1, 2018

WASHINGTON — Former President George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States died on Friday night. He was 94.

Bush is being remembered today as the last veteran of World War II to serve as president and his famous pledge, “Read my lips: No new taxes.” He broke his pledge and ended up calling for a tax increase to reduce the deficit. Many cite this for the reason for his loss to Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential election.

He will also be remembered for Gulf War and the end of the Cold War that happened during his presidency.

Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), a tribal citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, mourned the loss of former President Bush this morning in a statement released by his Washington Congressional office:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former President George H. W. Bush. He was an inspirational American figure and principled leader, who devoted his life to public service and benefiting the greater good. He was not defined by his politics but always by compassion for others and love of our great nation.

Representative Tom Cole

“As a Republican State Chairman, the NRCC’s Executive Director and a GOP political consultant, I interacted with George H. W. Bush on many occasions during the 1980s and 90s. I found him to be invariably thoughtful, substantive, modest and polite. President Bush always cared about others more than himself. He was the most grounded and least egotistical politician I ever met. His sheer decency and profound wisdom were often overlooked because he refused to boast about his many personal and political accomplishments. President Bush personified the virtues of the so called ‘greatest generation’ that won the Second World War and turned America into an economic powerhouse and a beacon of freedom that was the envy and hope of the world.

“Along with Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush led America to victory in the Cold War, consigning the old Soviet Union to the ash heap of history. When he departed office, he left the world at peace and America as the globe’s only and uncontested superpower. It was an amazing achievement that was unappreciated at the time.

“His legacy extends far beyond any office or position he held. First and foremost, he was a family man. George H. W. Bush was a devoted husband, beloved father and adored grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family as they mourn this incredibly difficult loss.”