Dole Institute to host memorial display, book for George H.W. Bush

LAWRENCE – The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will host a special memorial display honoring the legacy of former President George H.W. Bush and his relationship with former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole. Guests will also be able to sign a memorial book and share their condolences. The book will be presented to the Bush family.

The display will be available to the general public beginning at noon Monday, Dec. 3. Admission to the Dole Institute is free and open to the public.

Bush, 94, passed away Friday, Nov. 30, at his home in Houston. He was a World War II veteran and public servant, spending time as a Texas congressional representative, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and director of the CIA. He served as vice president under Ronald Reagan from 1981-89, and he won the presidential election in 1988.

“I had the honor of working with the president in the Reagan White House and on his two general election campaigns,” said Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute. “He was an extraordinary guide for America during the critical transition after the fall of the Iron Curtain.”

“Our nation has lost a cherished servant leader who has truly been the man for all seasons,” Bob and Elizabeth Dole said in a statement. “President Bush answered the call to serve whenever our nation needed him – and we needed him often and in so many important capacities – congressman, vice president, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, ambassador to China and as the 41st president of the United States. He brought wisdom, a keen sense of mission and diplomacy, incomparable patriotism, along with compassion and humanity, to each and every assignment he accepted on behalf of the American people.

“We smile when we recall the photographs of President Bush and his beloved Barbara riding their bicycles as they forged new paths of friendship during their years in China or the skydiving adventures to celebrate his birthday. He created the Points of Light foundation to remind us that we each hold the potential to help and inspire others. In retirement, he continued to inspire us, leading by example as he graciously stepped off the world stage, continued to meet with leaders who sought his wise counsel and navigated with courage his final illness. God bless this great man of faith and hold our dear friend close.”

Bush received the Dole Leadership Prize in 2008 for his long career in public service. Video of that program is available here.

The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located in KU’s West District and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacy of former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole.

More information on all programs, as well as ongoing additions to the schedule, can be found on the Dole Institute’s website, www.doleinstitute.org.