VOA慢速英语:美国前总统老布什如今90高龄了
George Herbert Walker Bush was born in the easternstate of Massachusetts on June 12, 1924.
During World War II, at the age of 18, George Bush delayed entering collegeand joined the Navy. He finished his training at the age of 19 and became theyoungest Navy pilot in American history.
Mr. Bush was a brave pilot. He was awarded many medals for his service in the Pacific during the war.
In 1945, he married Barbara Pierce. They had six children. One of them,Pauline, died as a child. Their oldest son, George, was elected the 43rdPresident of the United States. Another son, John -- known as “Jeb” -- waselected governor of Florida.
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President George Bush raises his right hand as he is sworn into office as the 41st president of the U.S. (File photo) |
In the 1950s, George Bush developed a successful oil business in Texas, anddecided to enter politics. He became the Republican Party’s candidate for U.S. Senate in 1964, but lost the election. In 1966, he was elected to theHouse of Representatives. He served four years in Congress.
During the 1970s, Mr. Bush held several major government jobs, includingworking as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He also served as America’s representative to China and head of the Central IntelligenceAgency.
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In 1980, George Bush sought the Republican presidential nomination. Heeventually lost to Ronald Reagan, but was Reagan’s choice for vice-president. Together, they served two four-year terms in office.
In 1988, Mr. Bush was the Republican candidate for president. During theelection campaign, he made some promises he would later regret.
“Read my lips. No new taxes!”
Mr. Bush’s presidential campaign was successful. He became the 41st U.S.president.
“And now we will move again for an America that is strong and resolute in theworld, strong and big hearted at home and when I said, when I said, ‘I want akinder, gentler nation,’ I meant it, and I mean it."
Mr. Bush became president during a period of great change in the world. TheSoviet Union was dying. The 40-year-long Cold War was ending peacefully. The Berlin Wall would soon fall. The wall had separated West and East Berlinsince 1961.
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Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and President Bush |
In December of 1989, President Bush ordered thousands of troops intoPanama to remove General Manuel Noriega from power. Noriega was laterjailed on drug trafficking charges.
Perhaps the most important event of George Bush’spresidency was Operation Desert Storm. Mr. Bushhelped to build an international coalition of more than500-thousand soldiers from nearly 40 countries toanswer Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
“The coalition will give Saddam Hussein until noonSaturday to do what he must do -- begin his immediateand unconditional withdrawal from Kuwait.”
The war ended quickly after an air attack and a short ground invasion. Mr.Bush decided not to move troops toward Baghdad or to occupy any part ofIraq.
American University Professor Allan Lichtman is a presidential historian.
“Of course, we could defeat the Iraqi Army. Of course, we could pushSaddam Hussein out of Kuwait. But what was difficult was getting the worldbehind us, including the Arab world, and that was the signal achievement ofGeorge H.W. Bush.”
Although Mr. Bush enjoyed great popularity after U.S. and allied troopsremoved Iraqi troops from Kuwait, the victory was not enough to keep him inoffice. The American economy was worsening. And he did not keep hispromise of “no new taxes.” This angered many of his conservativesupporters.
He lost in his attempt to be re-elected to Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, aDemocrat. After losing the election, Mr. Bush retired from politics.
He has not been seen often, although he did parachute out of an airplane onhis 80th birthday. And he joined his former political opponent Bill Clinton toraise money for humanitarian causes.
He now spends much of his time with his family in Texas and at their summerhome at Kennebunkport in the northeastern state of Maine.
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