George H.W. Bush was elected President of the United States on November 8, 1988, sworn in on January 20, 1989, and served until January 20, 2003.  George Bush brought to the White House a dedication to traditional American values and a determination to direct them toward making the United States “a kinder and gentler nation.”

 

Bush faced a dramatically changing world, as the Cold War ended after 40 bitter years, the Communist empire broke up, and the Berlin Wall fell.  The Soviet Union ceased to exist; and reformist President Mikhail Gorbachev, whom Bush had supported, resigned.  While Bush hailed the march of democracy, he insisted on restraint in U.S policy toward the group of new nations.

 

In other areas of foreign policy, President Bush sent American troops into Panama to overthrow the corrupt regime of General Manuel Noriega, who was threatening the security of the canal and the Americans living there.  Noriega was brought to the United States for trial as a drug trafficker.

 

Bush’s greatest test came when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, then threatened to move into Saudi Arabia.  Vowing to free Kuwait, Bush rallied the United Nations, the U.S. people, and Congress and sent 425,000 American troops.  They were joined by 118,000 troops from allied nations.  After weeks of air and missile bombardment, the 100-hour land battle, dubbed Desert Storm, routed Iraq’s million-man army.

 

Since leaving office, President Bush has visited many foreign countries, most of the 50 states, and has helped to raise millions of dollars for a variety of charitable organizations.  In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and her immense devastation, former Presidents Bush and Clinton established the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund to raise money for the victims of this disaster.  This charitable fund will collect cash and work with the governors of the affected states to coordinate both the short and long term relief efforts essential to rebuilding the lives of the victims.

 

President Bush has authored two books, Looking Forward, an autobiography, and A World Transformed, co-authored with General Brent Scowcroft.

 

President and Mrs. Bush have five children and 14 grandchildren.  They reside in Houston, Texas and Kennebunkport, Maine.