PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH - COLLECTION WITH FIRST LADY BARBARA BUSH - HFSID 90987

GEORGE BUSH and BARBARA BUSH
Collection framed to an overall size of 31x23, including a White House card signed with "God Bless America" by the President, a typed letter signed by the First Lady, and a photo of the Presidential couple meeting soldiers of Operation Desert Storm
Comprises: (1) GEORGE BUSH. White House Card signed: "God Bless America/George Bush", 3¾x2¼. Imprinted: "Presidential Seal" at left upper margin and "The White House/Washington" at right upper margin. Fine condition. (2) BARBARA BUSH. Typed Letter signed: "Barbara Bush/Thanks so much.", 1 page, 6¼x8¼. No place, July 6, 1988. On personal letter head. In full: "Thank you for your letter. George and I so appreciate your words of support and efforts to help him win the Presidential election this November . It really does mean so much to us. I have enclosed the autographed photograph you requested. It is a pleasure to send it to you. Again, thank you for all you are doing. With best wishes, Warmly,". Photograph not present. Fine condition. George Herbert Walker Bush signed his signature on a card from the White House. He had captured the presidency just four months after his wife Barbara signed this thank-you note to a supporter. On August 2, 1990, the President faced a crisis which would define the character of his Administration when the army of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded the oil-rich country of Kuwait. Bush quickly condemned the "naked aggression" and called for a worldwide economic embargo against Iraq sanctioned by the United Nations. Fearing an attack on Saudi Arabia, the President deployed United States troops to the desert kingdom on August7. Operation Desert Shield had begun. Over 28 countries, including most in the Arab world, ultimately joined the U.S. in an Allied coalition to combat Saddam under U.N. auspices. In this photograph, the President and First Lady are seen bolstering the spirits of American soldiers stationed in the Saudi desert during the Thanksgiving holiday. Supported by a Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force, the President warned Saddam that he had until midnight on January 15, 1991 to pull out of Kuwait. Iraq failed to comply. On January 17, Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm as Allied planes began a concentrated bombing campaign. Five weeks later, Allied ground forces moved in to complete the stunning defeat of Saddam's forces. With this victory, the United States shed its post-Vietnam malaise and reestablished its position as a world leader. For the first time in history, virtually the entire world had united against an aggressor. Navy pilot and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient George Bush was a gallant World War II hero returning from the Pacific Theater when Barbara Pierce left Smith College to marry him in 1945. Strong-willed and dedicated to her husband, she held the Bush household of five children together through more than four decades, 68 countries and all 50 states while George worked as an oil industry executive, Texas Congressman, U.N. Ambassador, Republican Party Chairman, U.S.-China Liaison Office Chief, Central Intelligence Agency Director and Vice President. Their hard work paid off when he captured the presidency in November 1988 - the first Vice President to do so since Martin Van Buren in 1836. The First Lady has since led the national fight against illiteracy while supporting the President during the long months of the Persian Gulf War. Barbara Bush (1925-2018), with her sensible, down-to earth manner was an enormously popular First Lady. In addition to her many duties, she crusaded against illiteracy and supported programs to help the homeless and fight drug abuse. The first woman since Abigail Adams to be wife of one President and mother of another, she is the only First Lady to witness her son's presidential inauguration.Two items.  Frame is chipped at top and top right corner.  Framed to an overall size of 30¾x23¼.