“We are a nation of communities… a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky” ~ President George H. W. Bush.

George Herbert Walker Bush, the father of President George W. Bush and the 41st president, died Nov. 30 at the age of 94 in his home in Houston, Texas.

Before becoming president, President Bush held positions ranging from vice president under President Ronald Reagan to U.N. ambassador to director of the CIA.

He coined the phrase “a thousand points of light” to describe Americans’ spirit of volunteering, using it first in his presidential nomination speech. But he later repeated it in his inaugural address, and it eventually inspired his “Points of Light Foundation” to promote non-government led solutions to social problems.

President Bush ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1980 but dropped out once he realized that Reagan would be the nominee. He ended up as Reagan’s vice presidential running mate and was elected with him twice, in 1980 and again in 1984.

Finally, in 1988, he was elected president. In 1990, after years of lobbying for the cause, he signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination based on disability in the workplace, education and public transportation. It also mandates that employers make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, and is responsible for the common sights ranging from handicapped parking spots to ramp entries to buildings.

He served only one term, being defeated by Bill Clinton in 1992. But two of his sons went on to gain positions in high government office. George  W. Bush became president in 2001 to 2009 and Jeb Bush served as governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007.

After the deadly 2005 tsunami in Indonesia, President George H. W. Bush formed a partnership with former President Clinton to organize international support. President Barack Obama awarded Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest national civilian honor, in 2011 to recognize his lifetime of service.

During World War II, at age 18 he became the youngest pilot serving in the U.S Navy. He was shot down in combat and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism.

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