Grams Honors Bush for Standing Firm in the Face of Aggression
U.S. Senator Rod Grams introduced former president George Bush at the Minnesota Family Council's 15th anniversary banquet, held Feb. 19. The following is excerpted from his remarks.
It's February 19. America is in the midst of a crisis with Iraq. Our president is under intense pressure to make some kind of peace with Saddam Hussein, who has tested and taunted this nation and its allies one time too many.
But the American president is holding firm. "The goals have been set out, there will be no concessions, we're not going to give," he says forcefully. The world takes him at his word, because as the leader of the most powerful republic on Earth, he has proven his resolve repeatedly in the face of Iraq's threats, intimidation, and defiance.
Americans rally around our president, a man whose conscience is ruled by ideals no less pure than the pursuit of freedom for all peoples. He has earned our trust, and we surrender it to him willingly.
It's February 19 -- but if the picture doesn't quite ring true, it's because I've transported us back to February 19 of 1991 -- where the American leader who stood so firm in the face of aggression by Saddam Hussein was our special guest tonight, President George Bush.
Just nine days later, President Bush declared victory in the Persian Gulf War and ordered a cease-fire, announcing that Kuwait had been liberated, all our military objectives had been met, and Saddam's army was defeated.
By bringing together our allies in a show of unity and strength the world has not seen since, it was a great victory for America -- a great victory for the world.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower used a simple metaphor to illustrate the art of leadership. Laying an ordinary piece of string on a table, he'd demonstrate how you could easily pull it in any direction. "Try and push it, though," he continued," and it won't go anywhere. It's just that way when it comes to leading people."
In studying the life of George Bush, you realize quickly that this is another man who understands the role of a leader.
George Bush defined himself as a leader early in life, beginning as a student, continuing through his distinguished military career, his two terms in Congress, the ambassadorship at the United Nations, his central role in the "Reagan Revolution," and his service as the nation's chief executive.
It's the career of a man who knows how to lead -- who leads not by pushing others in a direction they aren't necessarily ready to go, but by guiding them toward a place they find themselves eager to discover.
As a nation we were inspired by his optimism when George Bush urged us to make this a "kinder, gentler nation." We felt his sense of hope and expectation for this country.
By always striving for a government that treats our families with respect, and promoting the traditional American values that built this nation and still guide it today, President Bush lifted our dreams for this country aloft with his. He and Barbara brought with them to the White House goodness and decency and a strong sense of family.
When I first arrived in Washington in early 1993 as a newly elected congressman, President Bush was preparing to leave office. In a gesture of great kindness, he invited the incoming freshmen to visit him. I've been to the White House many times since, but I have to say that my first visit to the Oval Office, standing beside a Republican leader I had long admired, will never be equaled.
It was a great honor then, just as it's a great honor to introduce him to you tonight.
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