George W. Bush (born July 6, 1946)
43rd President of the United States January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
Texas Governor George W. Bush defeated Vice President Al Gore to win the 2000 presidential election. This was only the second time in history the son of a past president was elected to the office.
He was born in New Haven, Connecticut and Grew up in Midland Texas. He graduated from Yale University and received an MBA from Harvard University in 1975. In 1977 he met and Married schoolteacher Laura Welch and they had twin daughters.
He was a businessman and campaign advisor during his father George H.W. Bush’s presidential campaign in 1988. From 1995 – 2000 he served as Governor of Texas. Like his father, his domestic policy encouraged volunteerism and tax cuts.
Less than 8 months after taking office, on September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by airborne foreign terrorists and thousands of Americans were killed. He was suddenly transformed into a wartime president. He “faced the greatest challenge of any president since Abraham Lincoln”.
The United States fought the Taliban in Afghanistan to root out Osama Bin Laden. He also invaded Iraq to eliminate Saddam Hussein’s government, which he believed held weapons of mass destructions and was a threat to world safety.
He made reforms to the intelligence department and military to meet the new challenges. He also established the Department of Homeland Security to address domestic threats.
The attacks, and later Hurricane Katrina, also strained the country economically. The country entered a recession in 2007.
Despite these tragedies, Bush believed in the future of the United States. “The force of human freedom – tested but not weary… we are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom.”
Following his presidency, George W. Bush retired from politics. He and Bill Clinton formed the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to raise funds for earthquake relief in 2010. He has also appeared with other past presidents in a variety of functions.
Two Stars have been named for President George W. Bush
George W Bush
Perseus RA 3h 2m 42.00s D 39° 41' 0.00"
December 25, 1990
President and Mrs. George W. Bush
Cygnus RA 20h 18m 27.67s D 42° 50' 11.12"
December 25, 2004