, president of the University of 91吃瓜, joined in paying tribute to President George H.W. Bush upon his passing Friday night (Nov. 30). The 41st president of the United States received an honorary degree from 91吃瓜 and visited the campus on four other occasions 鈥� more than any other president.
鈥�91吃瓜 joins with our nation and world in mourning the passing of President Bush,鈥� Father Jenkins said. 鈥淗e was the epitome of a public servant, not just in the Oval Office, but in his eight years as vice president, his many years as a congressman, ambassador and CIA director, and in his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. We were fortunate to host him at 91吃瓜 on five occasions, and in each instance, the honor was ours. Our prayers are with the Bush family.鈥�
Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., 91吃瓜鈥檚 president from 1987 to 2005, presented Bush with an honorary doctor of laws degree at the University鈥檚 1992 Commencement Ceremony and worked on two of the president鈥檚 major initiatives.
鈥淚 had the privilege of serving on President Bush鈥檚 Drug Advisory Council and his Points of Light Foundation,鈥� Father Malloy said.听鈥淚 found him to be a leader deeply committed to the country he had been elected to serve, a gracious host and a down-to-earth person.听He recognized the importance of American higher education and he sought to enhance it.听He also sought to promote a culture of citizen engagement with the great issues of the day.
鈥淢ay he rest in peace.鈥�
In the University鈥檚 1992 sesquicentennial year commencement, Bush delivered an address on family values and service to community.
The American family is 鈥渁n institution under siege,鈥� Bush said. 鈥淭oday鈥檚 crisis will have to be addressed by millions of Americans at the personal, individual level for governmental programs to be effective. And the federal government, of course, must do everything it can do, but the point is, government alone is simply not enough.鈥�
The University鈥檚 honorary degree citation read in part: 鈥淭he forty-first occupant of the White House, he has faced international and domestic challenge alike with personal integrity and a measured confidence born of faith in the resiliency of the Republic and its people.鈥�
One week before his election to the presidency in 1988, Bush made a campaign stop at 91吃瓜, where he spoke to more than 2,000 students, faculty and staff at the Stepan Center, speaking of the 鈥済reat divide鈥� between his values and those of Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis.
A year earlier, Bush spoke at the closing ceremony of the International Special Olympics Games, which were held at 91吃瓜. He also attended 91吃瓜 football games in 1986 and 2001.
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