TITLE
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THIS BOARD�S SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES TO THE BUSH FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH, AND SUPPORTING THE DECLARATION OF DECEMBER 5, 2018 AS A NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING TO HONOR HIS PASSING

BODY
WHEREAS, George Herbert Walker (�H.W.�) Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts on June 12, 1924 to Dorothy Walker Bush and Prescott Sheldon Bush, who served in World War I and later became a United States Senator representing the State of Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, George H.W. Bush enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon his 18th birthday in order to serve his country during World War II, six months after Japan�s attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, he served as a naval aviator and participated in one of the largest victorious air battles of World War II, the Battle of the Philippine Sea; and
WHEREAS, George H.W. Bush later survived after his aircraft was shot down by the Japanese during an operation in September 1944; and
WHEREAS, in 1945, he married Barbara Pierce Bush in Rye, New York, while on leave from his deployment in World War II; and
WHEREAS, George H.W. Bush flew 58 combat missions during his service, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation; and
WHEREAS, after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in September 1945, George H.W. Bush attended Yale, earning a degree in economics in just two-and-a-half years; and
WHEREAS, soon thereafter, the Bushes moved to Midland, Texas, where they settled down and started a family, and George H.W. Bush began his political career; and
WHEREAS, together the couple had six children, including George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, and Jeb Bush, the 43rd Governor of Florida; and
WHEREAS, in 1966, George H.W. Bush was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Texas�s 7th District for two terms; and
WHEREAS, thereafter, he was appointed to several important positions, including U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1971 to 1973, Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1973 to 1974, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China from 1974 to 1975, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1976 to 1977; and
WHEREAS, George H.W. Bush served as Vice President of the United States during the Reagan presidency from 1981 to 1989; and
WHEREAS, George H.W. Bush was elected the 41st President of the United States in 1988; and
WHEREAS, President Bush accomplished much during his time in office, particularly in regards to foreign affairs; and
WHEREAS, President Bush responded to the dissolution of the Soviet Union with skillful diplomacy, and responded to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein�s invasion of Kuwait by creating a national coalition and leading a military strike that drove Hussein out of that country; and
WHEREAS, on the day that Bill Clinton would be sworn in as the 42nd President, George H.W. Bush took one final act in the Oval Office that demonstrated his decency, integrity, and devotion to country over party; and
WHEREAS, President Bush penned a gracious note to his successor that read in part, �You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success now is our country�s success. I am rooting hard for you�; and
WHEREAS, George H.W. Bush is also highly regarded for his work and statesmanship following his presidency; and
WHEREAS, in 2005 he joined with former President Bill Clinton to assist those impacted by Hurricane Katrina, raising more than $100 million in donations in just a few months; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, President Barack Obama awarded George H.W. Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States; and
WHEREAS, on November 30, 2018, George H.W. Bush passed away at the age of 94; and
WHEREAS, President Donald Trump has declared that December 5, 2018 shall be a national day of mourning to honor the passing of former President George H.W. Bush; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to honor former President George H.W. Bush�s life and memory through this expression of sympathy and condolences to his family, and to support President Trump�s declared national day of mourning,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Expresses its sympathy and condolences to the Bush family on the passing of former President George Herbert Walker Bush.
Section 2. Supports the declaration of December 5, 2018 as a national day of mourning to honor his passing.
Section 3. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Drive, West College Station, Texas 77845.