George W. Bush: Library Dedication, Brings Together Presidents Past and Present

The five living presidents of the United States met in Dallas, Texas today to help dedicate the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a library documenting his place in the country's history.

President Barack Obama and all of Bush's living predecessors, including his father, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter attended the ceremony at the 23-acre complex on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, according to Reuters. 

This ceremony was the first time that the presidents had gathered together since January 2009, when they met at the White House before Obama's inauguration, USA Today reports.

In his opening remarks, which he began a few minutes early, Bush joked about there having been a time in his life that he wouldn't be found in a library, much less found one, according to USA Today.  He continued by thanking his wife, parents, former aides, world leaders and his former vice president, Dick Cheney.

"In the end, leaders are defined by the convictions that they hold," Bush said as he grew serious, USA Today reports.  "My deepest conviction, the guiding principle of the administration, is that the United States of America must strive to expand the reach of freedom.  I believe that freedom is a gift from God and the hope of every human heart,"  he said, according to The Huffington Post.

He said that future generations will see that his administration stayed true to their convictions as they raised school standards, lowered taxes, liberated nations from dictatorships and "made the tough decisions required to keep the American people safe."

He teared up as he concluded his remarks saying, "It was the honor of a lifetime to lead a country as brave and as noble as the United States," and that he believes that its best days lie ahead, according to USA Today.

President Obama spoke of his predecessor, "To know the man is to like the man.  He is a good man," according to USA Today.

He called this meeting of all of the presidents "a special day for our democracy," noting that he had needed their advice shortly before his inauguration when they were last together,  USA Today reports.  "Our club's more like a support group," he said. "It's impossible to truly understand the nature of the job until it's yours."

Obama had been a frequent critic of Bush and what had called his "failed policies," according to USA Today.

However, today he praised Bush's leadership after the attacks on 9/11, his fight against AIDS in Africa and his policies on immigration and education.  "We share a profound respect and reverence" for the nation's military, Obama said.  He also spoke of a letter he had received from Bush on the day of his inauguration that "demonstrated his compassion and his generosity."

In addition, prior to the ceremony, Obama had spoken positively about the occasion saying, "One thing I will insist upon is whatever our political differences, President Bush loves his country and loves its people and...was concerned about all people in America, not just those who voted Republican. I think that's true about him and I think that's true about most of us," according to Reuters.

Bill Clinton, too, had some positive things to say about the former president.  "I hope the Congress will follow President Obama's effort to follow the example you set," he said, according to Politico.