George W. Bush Delivers Stirring Tribute to Father at State Funeral
*By Carlo Versano*
Financial markets closed, mail delivery stopped, federal offices shut down, and bells tolled as the nation paused to remember the life of President George H.W. Bush, who was memorialized during a state funeral at Washington's National Cathedral on Wednesday.
At 11:00 a.m., right on schedule, the famously punctual George W. Bush led his family into the cathedral under cloudy skies and chilly temperatures. In the front pew sat the other four members of what's known as the most exclusive club in the world ー Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and their wives.
It is believed to be the first time Presidents Trump and Obama have met or spoken since the former's inauguration. As Trump sat, he shook the hands of the Obamas as Bill Clinton glanced over. Hillary Clinton stared straight ahead.
The 43rd president delivered a stirring and humorous eulogy for his father, with whom he had a famously complicated but loving relationship. He was joined by Brian Mulroney, the former Canadian prime minister, Alan Simpson, the former senator from Wyoming, and Jon Meacham, the presidential biographer.
Meacham called President Bush the "last great soldier-statesman," and said his famous "thousand points of light" phrase was uttered alongside Lincoln's "better angels of our nature" line from his first inaugural as "companion verses in America's national hymn."
George W. Bush remembered his father as "the brightest of 1,000 points of light," again hitting on a phrase that President Trump once [mocked](https://youtu.be/ZbYZOHq2LEQ?t=3508).
"Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have," Bush said, breaking down.
"Dad is hugging Robin, and holding mom's hand again." Robin was the three-year-old daughter that the Bushes lost to leukemia in 1953.
The Bush family made a surprise visit to the Capitol rotunda on Tuesday evening to thank mourners who paid respects over two days as president lied in state. That followed a touching moment in which former senator Bob Dole was helped out of his wheelchair to salute the casket of his fellow WWII vet.
Bush, who served as the 41st president for a single term at a critical time for geopolitics, led a life that intersected with key moments of modern American history. A naval aviator turned congressman, RNC chair during Watergate, ambassador, CIA chief, vice and finally president, was also the patriarch of a political dynasty, as well as a respected family man and statesman.
"Some have said this is an end of an era," Rev. Russell Jones Levenson said from the pulpit. "But it doesn't have to be. Perhaps this is an invitation to fill the void that has been left behind."
As the Omicron variant continues to sweep across the country. The US Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments at the end of this week on whether or not the Biden administration can force private companies to vaccinate or test millions of their employees. In addition, the National Nurses United has spearheaded legal action to protect nurses and health care workers, patients, and the public while on the job. President of the National Nurses Union, Zenei Cortez, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Far too often, Americans are forced to navigate a tangled web of outdated government websites, offices way out of their reach, and hours of time 'on hold' to access the simple government services they depend on. A recent executive order, signed by President Biden, is intended to improve, streamline and modernize the 'customer' experience when accessing government services. Mina Hsiang, the administrator of the United States Digital Service, joins Cheddar News to discuss how the tech workforce is impacted by this executive order.
Today marks one year since the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol. The Country watched as supporters of then-President Trump stormed what was assumed to be the most secure building in the country in an attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 Election. Several lawmakers, including the Vice President, could be seen ducking down as they feared for their lives. Democratic Michigan Representative Dan Kildee, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Stocks closed lower on Friday as investors continue to worry over rate hikes. John Lynch, CIO of Comerica Wealth Management, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he says value is back in play with investors. Lynch also believes the market has overreacted to the latest Fed minutes, suggesting a bounce-back at some point.
Ben Armstrong, founder of Bitboy Crypto, joins Cheddar News to discuss Bitcoin's downward trend and what's next for crypto after protests in Kazakhstan cause crypto miners to shut down.
Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine joins Cheddar Politics to discuss his lawsuit against the extremist groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers over their role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Josh Pasek, a professor at the University of Michigan and expert on political communication and misinformation, joins Cheddar News to discuss how political radicalization happens and how America got to this point.
Kyle Kondik, managing editor at Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, joins Cheddar News to discuss what to expect at the 2022 midterm elections.
Katie Barlow, media editor at SCOTUSblog, joins Cheddar Politics to reflect on what happened at the Supreme Court in 2021 and what may be in store for 2022.
Gerren Keith Gaynor, managing editor of politics and Washington correspondent at The Grio, joins Cheddar Politics to discuss the progress President Biden made on his policy agenda in 2021, and what remains to be done in 2022.
