George W. Bush: “I encourage all Americans to reflect on the Academy's incomparable history of contribution to our country's national…”

Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.

Is it in our interest that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your hard work and God bless you.

We know our words cannot help, but we believe the prayers of so many Americans will.

History will remember him as among the finest public servants of his generation – a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position.