Government leaders around Michigan remembered George H.W. Bush, America’s 41st President. He died at his home in Houston Friday night. Governor Rick Snyder ordered flags lowered in Michigan for 30 days.
Leaders from both major political parties paid tribute to Bush.
Lame duck Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, like Bush, is a Republican.
“He was a great person who served his nation not only in the military and as President, but as a role model for all of us,” tweeted Gov. Snyder.
Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, also issued a statement.
“May we all learn from his humility, his legendary sense of humor, his fortitude and his commitment to public service,” wrote Whitmer.
Interim Michigan State University president and former Michigan Governor John Engler said in a statement that Bush was a “dear friend.” He recounted a story after his triplet daughters were born.
”After our daughters were born in 1994, one day in the mail three photos of the President arrived. The president had selected three different casual photos and hand-wrote notes to each daughter talking about his friendship with their mom and dad.”
Bush, who died at age 94 — nearly eight months after his wife of 73 years died at their Houston home — was a congressman, an ambassador to the United Nations and envoy to China, chairman of the Republican National Committee, director of the CIA, two-term vice president and, finally, president.