The 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, passed away Friday (11/30/2018) night at the age of 94.

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R, TN) commented,"George H.W. Bush may have been the only person ever elected President of the United States primarily by being nice. I have dozens of handwritten notes from him--as do, I suspect, hundreds of Americans. His presidency is increasingly admired for his courage and restraint: for unifying Germany, for making hard decisions that balanced the budget, and for challenging aggression in Kuwait with decisive but measured military action."

Alexander served as President Bush's Education Secretary from 1991-1993.

In addition, Tennessee's other U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R) said, "George H.W. Bush's life was defined by service to the country he loved, and he leaves behind a remarkable legacy," said Corker. "His selfless service and devotion to family set an important example, not only during his time in elected office but long afterward of what it really means to lead. His character and decency were unparalleled, especially in the way he befriended political foes, reminding Americans that there is always more that unites us than divides us. Elizabeth and I cherish the memories we have of hosting George and Barbara at our home in Chattanooga and join the nation in celebrating the life of a faithful husband, father, grandfather, and statesman."

President Bush's wife of 73-years, Barbara, passed away seven months earlier, and the former president was hospitalized the day after her funeral with an infection in his bloodstream.

His son, former President George W. Bush, issued a statement calling his father "a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens."

On June 12, 2018, Mr. Bush celebrated his 94th birthday with family members in Kennebunkport, Maine, becoming the first U.S. president in history to reach that age. "I see history as a book with many pages, and each day we fill a page with acts of hopefulness and meaning," he said in his 1989 inauguration speech.

Born into privilege, then a life of service

Mr. Bush was born in Milton, Mass., on June 12, 1924. On his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the Navy, becoming the youngest fighter pilot in World War II. He flew 58 combat missions, including one that nearly ended his life.

"He was on a bombing mission about 600 miles south of Japan," said historian Douglas Brinkley, "when he was shot down and it went into the sea. And it's a great moment for his life of heroism, September 3, 1944."