Honoring former President George Herbert Walker Bush on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 653, honoring former President George Herbert Walker Bush on the occasion of his 80th birthday on June 12.

Thousands of friends and supporters celebrated the former President's birthday in Houston and in College Station this past weekend. In true George H.W. Bush style, the former President capped the festivities in college Station by jumping from an airplane above his presidential library at Texas A&M University and earning his U.S. Army parachutist wings. He had trained to make a solo jump, but wind and cloud conditions required that it be a tandem jump. With a practice jump made earlier Sunday, Mr. Bush has now made five jumps, earning the parachutist badge. One of those jumps was a solo skydive on his 75th birthday, and we can only assume that he is likely to consider another solo jump in the future.

This ability to rise to any challenge--fearlessly and with a sense of determination--characterizes the life of our Forty-first President, who dedicated a lifetime to public service and probably brought to the Nation's highest office the greatest portfolio of any President since Thomas Jefferson.

His service began during World War II, when he enlisted in the armed forces on his 18th birthday and was the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings. He flew 58 combat missions and was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire and rescued by a United States submarine, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

His service to his country continued as a Unites States Representative from Texas for

two terms. Thereafter he served as Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the United States Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

From 1980 through 1988, he served President Ronald Reagan and our Nation with distinction as Vice President, with responsibility for multiple areas of government. His eloquent tribute to Mr. Reagan at the National Cathedral last Friday reflected his great friendship and working relationship with President Reagan as well as the late President's values and sense of humor.

In 1988 George H.W. Bush won the Republican nomination for President and was elected as the Forty-First President of the United States. His Administration was marked by a magnitude of historic change as well as challenge. During his Presidency, building on the policies and achievements of President Reagan and previous Administrations, the Communist empire dissolved, the Soviet Union ceased to exist, and the Berlin Wall fell.

During his Presidency, American troops overthrew the corrupt regime of General Manuel Noriega. And during his Administration President Bush launched what would become one of the most successful military campaigns of the late 20th century--Operation Desert Storm. President Bush rallied the United States, Congress, and the United Nations in a campaign that would defeat Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's million-man army which invaded Kuwait and threatened to move into Saudi Arabia. Over 500,000 American military personnel were joined by 200,000 military and other personnel from allied nations, and the cost of the war was shared by many nations who participated.

I remember this time well, not only for what it meant to our Nation, but because it also occurred during a time of personal challenge for my family. On the day that President Bush announced Desert Storm--just before he went on national television to announce the campaign--he took time from the immense pressures of the day to call and extend his best wishes to my family who were gathered at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. This gesture speaks volumes about his character and the compassion he demonstrated in countless ways and in his Points of Light vision for the country. It is one of the most poignant moments in my family's life and one for which I will be eternally grateful.

George H.W. Bush has been my friend for many years. We were both Navy pilots, and we are from the same generation and close to the same age. He has been an inspiration to me and to so many, as he gave so much of himself to his country--and at the same time also was a devoted husband to Barbara and a great father to his children, our current President George W. Bush, the Honorable Jeb Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch, and for a brief but precious time to his little girl, Robin, who died tragically in early childhood.

Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to join my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to former President George H.W. Bush for his lifetime of service on behalf of our Nation and to honor him on the occasion of his 80th birthday. May God continue to bless him and his family--and may he be blessed with the opportunity to make another solo jump.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 653) honoring former President George Herbert Walker Bush on the occasion of his 80th birthday, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, last week was a somber one for America. The Nation mourned the loss of its beloved 40th President, Ronald Wilson Reagan. All heard numerous revealing accounts of President Reagan's leadership, compassion, and humor.

One of the most touching stories told during the past week was one by the one-time political rival of President Reagan, who ultimately became a close associate and friend. The story took place when President Reagan was recuperating at George Washington University Hospital following the assassination attempt on his life on March 30, 1981, just over 2 months after he took office.

The story went like this: ``Days after being shot, weak from wounds, (President Reagan) spilled water from a sink, and entering the hospital room, aides saw him on his hands and knees wiping water from the floor. (The President) worried that his nurse would get in trouble.''

Mr. Speaker, the eloquent speaker of these words was George H.W. Bush at President Reagan's funeral last Friday at the National Cathedral. Many people may not have heard that President George Bush, Bush ``41,'' turned 80 years of age on Saturday because of the Nation's week-long celebration of President Reagan's life, which overshadowed President Bush's birthday. But today the House returns to its normal legislative business as we consider House Resolution 653 that honors President George H.W. Bush on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, few Presidents have ever moved into the White House as qualified to lead this Nation as one of Texas's most distinguished citizens, George Herbert Walker Bush. As the youngest pilot in the Navy, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after flying 58 combat missions during World War II before returning home to graduate as a member of Phi Beta Kappa at Yale University, where he also captained the baseball team.

After college, he became a successful businessman in west Texas, earned two terms as a Member of this House, and served such high- profile positions as ambassador to the United Nations, ambassador to China, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

In 1980 George H.W. Bush was elected as part of the national Republican ticket with Ronald Reagan and served as Vice President for 8 years. Vice President Bush became President Bush 41 when he was elected in 1988. In the White House, President Bush was perhaps best known for working to inspire a ``kinder, gentler America'' at home and leading the Nation to free Kuwait overseas. Following the August 1990 invasion of Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces, President Bush rallied the world community, the U.S. Armed Forces, and the American people to dislodge Saddam Hussein's army from its control of neighboring Kuwait.

I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), my good friend, for introducing this meaningful resolution that wishes our 41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush, a happy 80th birthday, and that birthday was on Saturday, June 12. And on Sunday, June 13, I watched him jump out of an airplane at College Station, and he still has got plenty of spark.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I know the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) wanted to be here very badly for consideration of H. Res. 653 today, but his flight was delayed, which I had a bad experience with that last week so I know exactly what he is going through, and he is unable to be present. But I want to highly commend him for putting forth this resolution and doing all the work on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 653.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 653, a resolution honoring President George Herbert Walker Bush, a true statesman and American hero, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday.

President Bush has devoted his life to the service of our nation. As a highly decorated Navy pilot in World War II; a distinguished Congressman and Ways and Means Committee Member from Texas's Seventh Congressional District; a successful Ambassador to the United Nations; Liaison to China; Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; Vice President; and President of the United States--George Bush has ably served our country for over 50 years.

During that time, President Bush has exemplified the very highest values and principles of public service--honesty, integrity, responsibility, loyalty and patriotism. This is the Bush legacy and the example he set for all of us.

As a staff member who served in the Bush White House, I was privileged to learn this firsthand. His leadership as President was critical to resolving the challenges of that time: the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany; the end of Communism and beginning of democracy in Eastern Europe; a free trade policy and the lowering of trade restrictions and tariffs during the GATT talks; and of course, the success of Desert Storm. At home, he supported and signed the historic Americans with Disabilities Act; and the important amendments to the Clean Air Act, arguably the most important environmental legislation ever passed.

In his retirement, President Bush is still making history. I had the privilege of being present in College Station last weekend for his most recent birthday parachute jumps, for which he earned parachutist's wings from the Army's Golden Knights. The wings included a small bronze star, echoing his unplanned jump during World War II, when his torpedo bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire south of Japan.

Mr. Speaker, all of us congratulate President Bush on his birthday, and express our gratitude for his remarkable and unselfish public service.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, many of us looked in awe as former President George Herbert Walker Bush parachuted from a plane yesterday to celebrate his 80th birthday. Today I am pleased to join my colleagues to celebrate the entire life of our former President on his 80th birthday.

Born into a family known for its tradition of public service and having served his country in many important posts, George Bush enlisted in the armed services at the age of 18. The youngest pilot in the Navy when he earned his wings, George Bush flew 58 combat missions during World War II. So we can see the former President was only continuing what he had first done as a young pilot when he parachuted from that plane yesterday.

After being shot down during a mission in the Pacific, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action. As President, George H.W. Bush presided over the Nation through major events in our history. These events included the dissolution of the Soviet Union; the tearing down of the Berlin Wall; and the first war with Iraq, Operation Desert Storm. Through all of these events, President Bush served his country with remarkable dedication.

Today it is my privilege to thank him for his hard work for our country and to wish him a happy 80th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer a personal explanation of the reason I missed rollcall votes Nos. 232-235 on June 14, 2004. These were suspension votes on H.J. Res. 97--Renewal of import restrictions on Burma, H. Res. 669--Prostate cancer awareness, H.R. 4323--Rapid Acquisition Authority for Combat Emergencies and H. Res. 653--Recognizing 80th Birthday of President George H.W. Bush. At the time these votes were called, I was in my congressional district in Pensacola, FL with Vice-President Cheney for his speaking engagement.

I respectfully request that it be entered into the Congressional Record that if present, I would have voted rollcall vote No. 232, Renewal of import restrictions on Burma--``aye''; rollcall vote No. 233, on Prostate cancer awareness, ``aye''; rollcall vote No. 234, on Rapid Acquisition Authority for Combat Emergencies, ``aye''; and rollcall vote No. 235, on Recognizing 80th Birthday of President George H.W. Bush, ``aye.''