" In our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment."
President Bush: speaking in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on America
George Walker Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, was sworn into office on January 20, 2001, after one of the most hotly contested presidential campaigns in history. Promising tax cuts, broad educational reforms to America’s public schools, restoration and modernization of the military, and a reliance on faith-based and community organizations to deal with social problems, his “Compassionate Conservatism” struck a cord in the American electorate. He also pledged to modernize Social Security and Medicare, bolster the country’s intelligence gathering capabilities internationally and domestically and to restore confidence and integrity in the White House.
Prior to his ascendancy to the Oval Office, President Bush served for six years as the 46th Governor of the State of Texas, where he earned a reputation for encouraging strong families, personal responsibility, limited government and local control. A popular and successful governor, he received broad-based support from a wide coalition of social and ethnic groups.
President Bush, eldest son of former President George Herbert Walker Bush (the 41st President of the United States) and Barbara Bush, grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas. He was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, where he also attended Yale University. Receiving a bachelor’s degree in History from Yale in 1968, he then fulfilled his military obligation by serving as an F-102 fighter pilot for 6 years, in the Texas Air National Guard.
After graduating from Harvard University’s Business School with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1975, he returned to Texas and began a career in the energy business. A series of successes (and some failures) in the oil business helped him refine and crystallize a “no nonsense” business-like approach to problem solving. In 1989 he put together a team of partners who purchased the Texas Rangers baseball team. President Bush served a managing general partner of the Rangers until his election as Governor in 1994. In 1998 he became the first Governor in the history of Texas to be elected to consecutive four-year terms, as he received 68.6 percent of the vote in his re-election bid.
Since taking office, President Bush has made good on his campaign promises. He has signed into law bold and compelling initiatives aimed at improving the nation’s public schools by requiring accountability, raising standards (for students, administrators and teachers) and strengthening local control. He pushed for tax relief that provided lower taxes for everyone who pays taxes in America. Extremely popular with the men and women in the armed forces, he was successful in increasing military pay and benefits. In addition, he has directed that the troops receive the finest training and weapons available in order to accomplish their missions.
The horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, changed America and changed its President. Successfully transitioning from a champion for domestic issues to a wartime Commander-in-Chief, President Bush vowed to find and fight terrorism wherever it existed. After a measured period of time following the 9/11 attacks, he deployed America’s military might and toppled the brutal Taliban regime in Afghanistan, while denying al Qaeda a haven for continued terrorism-related training and operations, around the World!
After repeated attempts to gather United Nations support to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq, President Bush assembled a coalition of nations, lead primarily by U.S. and U.K. forces, and forcibly ousted the ruthless dictator in 2003. After the onset of hostilities, the regular Iraqi military was quickly crushed by the superior coalition forces. As a result of the swift and decisive action, some 25-million Iraqis and 10-million Afghani’s were liberated. While hostilities and terrorist acts persist in Iraq, President Bush has vowed to stay the course and ensure that the Iraqi and Afghanistan’s people remain free and independent.
In many ways, the War on Terror has defined George W. Bush. Although some disagree with his methods and question his motives, his unyielding persistence and leadership in finding and destroying those who would destroy American and Western Civilization cannot be denied. Indeed, he staked his presidency on fighting and winning against evil regimes, movements and individuals. President George W. Bush will long be remembered for his vision, moral clarity and his leadership during one of the most difficult times in American history.
Pointillism artist Mike Coupe has captured the essence of President Bush today! Exuding confidence, patriotism, authority and compassion, Coupe’s work is a must for the serious collector and for all who see in his portrait of President Bush, the strength and leadership that preserves our Liberty.
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