The White House - 1600 Daily: Remembering Barbara Bush

Remembering First Lady Barbara Bush, June 8, 1925 - April 17, 2018

Statement on Barbara Bush

Former First Lady Barbara Bush passed away yesterday in Houston, Texas. She was 92. Along with Abigail Adams, Mrs. Bush is one of only two First Ladies in American history to see a child follow her husband to the U.S. Presidency. 

The White House released this statement April 17th: 

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump join the Nation in celebrating the life of Barbara Bush. As a wife, mother, grandmother, military spouse, and former First Lady, Mrs. Bush was an advocate of the American family. Amongst her greatest achievements was recognizing the importance of literacy as a fundamental family value that requires nurturing and protection. She will be long remembered for her strong devotion to country and family, both of which she served unfailingly well. The President and First Lady’s thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mrs. Bush. 

The U.S. flag will fly at half-staff until sunset of the day that Mrs. Bush is laid to rest. 

Read statements from the Vice President and Karen Pence and from First Lady Melania Trump. 

The legacy of First Lady Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush was the “rock” of one of America’s most visible families. The mother of 6 and grandmother of 17 “kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end,” former President George W. Bush said this week. “I’m a lucky man that Barbara Bush was my mother.” 

Mrs. Bush’s legacy extends far beyond her role as matriarch. She served as a trusted adviser to her husband, President George H. W. Bush, and she tirelessly championed the cause of literacy throughout her life. She attended more than 500 literacy events during the Reagan Administration—before she’d even become First Lady of the United States. 

She was also a bipartisan symbol of women’s empowerment. When she famously wore fake pearls to her husband’s Presidential Inauguration and other White House events, her deputy press secretary quipped it was because “she just really likes them.” Polls showed that Americans loved her down-to-earth, no-nonsense style.

Barbara Bush put “family and country above all else,” First Lady Melania Trump says.

A close, personal bond

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe joined President Trump in Florida yesterday. “Shinzo and I have developed a very close relationship,” the President said. “We speak all the time. And our nations, I think, have never been closer than they are right now.” 

Abe praised the President’s handling of North Korea. “For the first time in the history of the world, there will be this summit meeting between the United States and North Korea,” the Prime Minister said. “Donald, you’ve demonstrated your unwavering determination in addressing the challenge of North Korea. And I’d like to take this opportunity to express and pay my tribute to your leadership.” 

The two leaders also discussed better trade deals. Since President Trump took office, America and Japan have negotiated a series of mutually beneficial deals. Through investment, hiring, and workforce development, Japanese companies support more than 850,000 American jobs. Major Japanese companies such as Toyota and Honda have also invested billions into U.S. factories. 

Read more about the cherished friendship between the U.S. and Japan. (SHARE THIS)
Watch: President Trump’s friendship walk with Prime Minister Abe.

Official White House Photo by Shealah CraigheadPresident Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe of Japan | April 17, 2018

The White House • April 19, 2018

Driving the Day

President Donald J. Trump will meet with the Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West, Florida, today. He’ll say that to help the task force do its job, he is calling on Congress to close loopholes that allow drugs and criminals to enter our country.

Look at what’s happening in America’s heartland

America was founded because of taxes, rallying to the cry “No taxation without representation!” So when Americans elected a Washington outsider, Donald J. Trump, to reform government, the most sweeping overhaul of the tax code in American history was a natural place to start. 

Tax cuts are key to the optimism spreading across our heartland. Today, several Midwest states boast among the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Key industries in America’s interior are thriving, with manufacturers anticipating their fastest wage growth in 17 years. “I ran on ‘tired of being 50th.’ And we’re finally first in all kinds of things,” Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) told President Trump this month. 

Here’s why: Cutting taxes and red tape isn’t about cutting services. In fact, it’s the opposite. President Trump is streamlining government to make it work better for the communities who need it most. One recent example is the Administration’s decision to expedite the environmental review process for major infrastructure projects. 

The President’s plan is to expand opportunity in every part of the country. So far, it’s working.