Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have travelled to the US Capitol in Washington to pay their respects to former president George HW Bush.
By Associated Press Reporters
December 4 2018 2:29 AM
Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have travelled to the US Capitol in Washington to pay their respects to former president George HW Bush.
The remains of the 41st president of the United States took their place in the Capitol Rotunda for three days of mourning and praise by the political elite and everyday citizens alike.
With Mr Bush’s casket on top of the Lincoln Catafalque, first used for Abraham Lincoln’s 1865 funeral, dignitaries came forward to honour the Texan whose efforts for his country extended three quarters of a century from the Second World War to his final years as an advocate for volunteerism and relief for people displaced by natural disaster.
President from 1989 to 1993, Mr Bush died on Friday at the age of 94.
In an invocation opening the ceremony, the US House chaplain, the reverend Patrick J Conroy, praised Mr Bush’s commitment to public service, from Navy pilot to congressman, UN ambassador, envoy to China and then CIA director before being elected vice president and then president.
“Here lies a great man,” said House speaker Paul Ryan and “a gentle soul.… His legacy is grace perfected”.
Vice president Mike Pence and Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell also spoke.
Mr Trump did not attend, but he and the first lady came to the Capitol later on Monday to pay tribute.
They stood in front of the casket with their eyes closed for a few moments, before Mr Trump saluted the casket.
When President George HW Bush left office, he left America & the world more peaceful, prosperous & secure. He was a great leader who made a great difference in the life of this Nation.
