All the members of the Presidents Club took the stage to honor Bush. President Obama (who quietly chewed gum during the entire service) was joined by Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter. And during the ceremony, each took the podium to share effusive praise of W. As Obama put it: "What President Clinton said [of Bush] is absolutely true ... to know the man is to like the man."
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All the first ladies stood onstage together during the ceremony. Michelle Obama wore a grey dress and matching jacket, Laura Bush opted for a blue dress and single strand of pearls, Clinton looked cheerful in beige pants and a long coat, Barbara Bush chose an electric purple scarf, and Rosalynn Carter looked extra-conservative in a tan suit.
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Former President George H.W. Bush showed off pink polka-dot socks as he was wheeled on stage at the dedication. His remarks were short, but he received a standing ovation.
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Michelle Obama, President Obama, Barbara Bush, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Laura Bush sat in a line onstage during the ceremony.
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Bush seemed humbled by the outpouring of support from the crowd and former presidents and even choked up at the end of his speech. “In democracy, the purpose of public office is not to fulfill personal ambition,” he said. “Elected officials must serve a cause greater than themselves. The political winds blow left and right, polls rise and fall, supporters come and go. But in the end leaders are defined by the convictions that they hold.”
Pool photo by Tony Gutierrez
Laura Bush, in a bright blue dress and a single strand of pearls, took the stage during the ceremony and reflected on her husband's time in office. "Here we remember the heartbreak and heroism of Sept. 11," she said. "And the bravery of those who answered the call to defend our country."
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Former Vice President Dick Cheney, in a cowboy hat, shakes hands with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
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The Obamas chatted with Barbara Bush onstage. In an interview with Today on Thursday, the former first lady drew a hard line against a Jeb Bush run for presidency: “There are other people out there that are very qualified," she said. "And we’ve had enough Bushes.”
Bill and Hillary Clinton shared a moment onstage during the dedication, while Carter studied his program.
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The former President of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, powwowed with Silvio Berlusconi before the dedication.
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Bush's two daughters, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, are greeted in the crowd before the event.
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The diminutive Dana Perino (former White House press secretary) and the tallest man in the crowd, former NBA Houston Rockets player Dikembe Mutombo, got together for a picture.
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W.'s having a good day: here, he yuks it up onstage with his dad and wife. At the end of his speech, he turned to his father and said: "41, it is awesome that you are here today."
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