George H.W. Bush Interview: Reflections on His Life & Presidency

President George H.W. Bush recalls the example his father set that gave him his sense of service, advice he received from his mother while in the White House, and the enormous role and impact of his wife Babara. He discusses the lessons he learned from Ronald Reagan while serving as his vice president, the importance he places on loyalty, and reflects on his time as president. George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st President of the United State, was born in Milton, Massachusetts on June 12, 1924. He became a decorated naval pilot who flew torpedo bombers during World War II. He was shot down on September 2, 1944 while completing a mission over Chi Chi Jima Island and lost his two crewmen. By the time he was honorably discharged in September of 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the U.S. Navy Air Medal with two gold stars. On January 6, 1945 he married Barbara Pierce. They had five children. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University in 1948 with a degree in economics, and immediately moved to Texas with his family to begin making his way in the oil business. President Bush's career in politics and public service began in February of 1963, when he was elected chairman of the Harris County (Texas) Republican Party. He was elected in 1966 to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas' Seventh District and served two terms. Before serving as vice president from 1981 to 1989 under Ronald Reagan, President Bush held a number of senior-level positions: Ambassador to the United Nations (1971-1973); Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1973-1974); Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China (1974-1976); and Director of Central Intelligence (1976-1977). He was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States on January 20, 1989. President Bush helped usher in a new and more hopeful geopolitical era marked by the spread of freedom and free markets. During his term in office, the West prevailed in the Cold War; the Soviet Union gave way to a democratic Russia; the Berlin Wall “fell” and Germany was unified within NATO; and President Bush signed two treaties to drastically reduce the threat of nuclear war. After Iraq’s unprovoked invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Mr. Bush forged a coalition of disparate nations to uphold international law. His handling of this international crisis enabled him to convene the Madrid Peace Conference later in 1991. President Bush passed away November 30, 2018. Subscribe for access to interviews, series, films, and educational materials that address issues of social justice, history, politics, the arts, and culture by spotlighting relatable human stories of purpose and meaning. Learn about our work and how to support our mission here: https://www.lifestories.org/. For extended versions of these interviews and more, visit:    / @lifestoriesinterviewarchive   Follow us on Instagram:   / lifestoriesinterviews   George H.W. Bush, 41st U.S. President Interviewed By: Hugh Sidey Interview Date: May 24, 1996 Chapter Markers: Family & the Bush "Dynasty" (0:12) Inspiration (2:25) Advice from His Father (4:00) His Father's Life in Washington (5:16) Measuring Up to His Father (6:01) His Mother (7:06) The Influence of Church (8:56) Yale & Baseball (9:37) The Navy (10:09) Moving to Texas (11:55) The Loss of His Daughter (12:39) Barbara's Role (14:03) A Privileged Family (15:38) The First Thought of Becoming President (16:32) Being Vice President (18:18) Ronald Reagan (19:31) Avoiding Becoming a "Prisoner in the White House" (24:33) Being Misunderstood as a President (28:49) The Gulf War & The End of The Cold War (32:54) "Read My Lips, No New Taxes" (41:56) Imagery (44:31) Loyalty & Morality (47:19) His Legacy & Life After Presidency (50:55) Descriptions of Other Presidents (54:24) © Kunhardt Film Foundation. All Rights Reserved. #GeorgeHWBush #kunhardtfilmfoundation