George W. Bush: “We love freedom. We understand we have an obligation to defend our freedoms.”

On this day of prayer, Laura and I are holding up our fellow Texans who are hurting.

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

We are heartbroken by the loss of life and the agony so many are feeling.

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.