and the movement in which volunteers help people in ways government doesn't. but for a world long on edge of fear between war of super powers, maybe his most notable achievement. now, president george h.w.bush, the man and his mission. >> i don't think you'll ever find a more thoughtful or considerate person than george president. >> president bush is probably most complete person i've ever met. he left in history... and he

is smart. he is humble. >> he is active in the un. >> he's funny. he's spontaneous. >> he was director of central intelligence. >> i remember we first started a campaign for president in 1979. he had this speech he would give about the obligation and promises and rewards. he would say my father a sense of public service. >> i would say people don't understand what that means. average voter isn't going to get it vice president for eight years, then president as the united states, george bush's mission was to make sure everyone got it we have

work to do. there are homeless, lost, roaming. we need community service to help everyone as a gift to give. everyone of us has a special talent this, is the genius of america. ordinary americans doing extraordinary things. >> george bush has always lived live to the fullest with a restless energy came to contain a message for others. >> for me, i like speed. i like the thrill of it. i think it sets an example for older people here and abroad because you're 80 years old doesn't mean you're out of the game. >> the landing site for some of the jumps is the grounds of the president presidential library and museum. located on the campus of texas a & m university.

>> following kind of the life of george bush. we have all of the records, and close to 100,000 artifacts. opening day was fantastic. november, 1997. we've had all of the living presidents here and first ladies. and president bush gave a great speech that day. >> i don't know if lou gear yig said it first. but i do know that he said it best. today, i feel like the luckiest person in the world. >> he served his country in a number of ways it wasn't until his acceptance speech in the 1988 g.o.p. convention he became to define himself. >> i will keep america moving forward, always forward. for a better america, for an endless, enduring dream and a thousand points of light.

this is my mission, i will complete it that night he called americans to step up to help their neighbors in the way government can't. the phrase points of light entered the public discourse. more than 20 years later thousands of people gathered in new orleans for the national conference on volunteering and service and neil bush continued his father's mission. >> he believed by telling our cities -- stories we can inspire others to make a difference in their communities. >> focus was on ways to get people involved in service, it also gave volunteers a chance to help their host city. >> there are polls right now but they're going to turn into pressure. >> by volunteer efforts it becomes a jewel of a place. >> i think my father plotted

that we're blessed in many ways. the least we can do is pitch n help out. help the needyest among us. it comes from his own upbringing. >> george bush was born on june 12th, grew up in connecticut with his brothers and one sister, summers spent in their grandparents home in maine, a home woe inherit. his father set a mark for achievement and duty. prescott bush helped to establish the uso and served in the united states senate two terms. >> his father was a stern, rigid business guy and his mother was kind of a moral compass. >> i write about my grandmother who i think is one of the greatest influences in my dad's life. >> laura bush cook is the author of a memoir ever of her

father's live. >> my grandmother taught basic lessons of be kind to others, lift someone up when they're down and don't brag about yourself. >> high school for bush was phillip as kad my. the motto means not for self. >> i thought that all myself. don't brag about yourself. i called her once at 16. how did the team do? you know? that stayed with me all my life. >> making a difference, encouraging others to become points of light became a mission in his life, but first his attention drawn to a young woman named barbara pierce, then air, world war. >> but at regions, we're committed to helping small businesses

find new ways to optimize their cash flow. so, stop in and ask for a regions cashcor analysis and see how easy it is to get your cash flow (whistles) heading in the right direction. let's talk.

- ♪ o beautiful ♪ for spacious skies ♪ for amber waves of grain ♪ for purple mountain majesties ♪ ♪ above the fruited plain - ♪ america! ♪ america!

- ♪ god shed his grace on thee ♪ - ♪ on thee - ♪ and crown thy good with brotherhood ♪ - ♪ from sea to shining sea

>> he and his crew came under fire. >> weem never forget it. we were making a vital strike and i can see the fire around me in the aircraft, then, my

plane was on fire. >> with his plane burning he completed his mission before instructing his crew to bail out and escaping. for this feat he was awarded distinguished flying cross. >> all of a sudden saw this submarine surface, they had been watching me through the parascope. and then, they took me out. >> he lost his crew. he wrote a leter to his parents about the ordeal at battle suppressing pain he felt for his dead comrade autos last night i kept reliving the whole experience. my heartached for families of those who went missing. >> when discharged he had flown 58 combat missions. after the war, and he barbara got married and then off to yale university. he stood out on the baseball

diamond playing in two college baseball world series, captain in his senior year he met babe ruth. he still had time to volunteer. >> while a student at yale he was active in all kinds of campus service activities including meeting to raise funds for the united negro college fund he graduated with honors earning a b.a.in economics and he and barbara proud parents of their first child, george w, set out to tex. he was going to try his hand in the oil exploration business. >> he went the day after he graduated from college. offered a job there. he needed a job. he had a wife and a baby. >> by 1949 they had a child child, robin and living in midland, texas. bush became an entrepreneur, starting an oil company. and they imersed themselves into their community, finding

time to give back. he was involved in creating little league teams and traditional activities for benefiting the city and the region. >> almost bred into his dna to give the others, values led him as a young businessman to help found the first ymca in 1952. it's not something he did for political gain. >> in 1953 their third child, john ellis was born and 3-year-old robin was diagnosed with leukemia. incurable at that time. she died in 1963. the bushes donated her body to science to help other children. it didn't stop there. >> gorge bush was a point of light before that, after their daughter passed away they started a foundation to help cancer research. it was just part of the culture of our family to help others in little bays and in their cases very big way autos

neil bush arrived in 1955. his brother marlon followed the next year, daughter dorothy completed the clan in 1959. the birth of doro seemed to fill the void left by the death of his first little girl. >> we need someone to cry when i get mad not argue. we need a little one that we can kiss without leaving gum. we need a girl. >> in 1959 george bush relocated to houston, texas co-founding another oil business, and soon, ambitions turned to politics. he ran for republican county chairman and won. his career in politics had begun. he lost a senate bid in 1964. two years later made a run for congress, becoming the first

republican representative for houston. >> most controversial vote that congressman bush had to make was in 1968 on an open housing bill. he could not imagine as a member of congress telling returning service men they'd not be tibl get public housing because of their skin color he went back to texas. people were irate and made threats. he went tout a town hall meeting. >> told me george bush was going in to tell the crowd he was voting for open housing. and sharing through that i thought he was going to be killed. by the end of the ening he turned the crowd. >> he made time to volunteer. >> they'd come home from congress he'd be engaged in soft ball support for inner city teams and so he gave

back. >> my father said every definition of a successful life must include service to others. that is right. >> just ahead, how george bush created one of the longest resumes in public service as he prepared himself for the presidency. how his own words on a campaign speech would come back to haunt him in the bid for a second term. >> read my lips. [ kyle ] my bad. [ roger ] tell me you have good insurance. yup, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...allstate. really? i was afraid you'd have some cut-rate policy. [ kyle ] nope, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...the allstate value plan. it's their most affordable car insurance -- and you still get an allstate agent. i too have...[ roger with voice of dennis ]...allstate. [ roger ] same agent and everything. [ kyle ] it's like we're connected. no we're not. yeah, we are. no...we're not. ♪

the allstate value plan. dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like allstate.

when i'm on the night shift. when they have more energy than i do. when i don't feel like working out. when there isn't enough of me to go around. ♪ when i have school. and work. every morning. it's faster and easier than coffee. every afternoon when that 2:30 feeling hits. -every day. -every day. every day is a 5-hour energy day. [ male announcer ] 5-hour energy. every day.

>> it a.loued bush to display his style of personal diplomacy. the height of the water gate scandal he returned to washington to become chairman of the republican national committee. the event richard nixon resigned for kbt of the party. >> my fellow americans... our long national nightmare is over. >> general ford asked bush what he wanted to do and suggested that ambassadorship,. >> and bush turned down this

token of appreciation. >> riding bicycles to kind of a square often in the neighborhood. he was just so friendly z outgoing that i think he was kind of a surprising emissary to the chinese he was creating the ground work for a few tour u.s. relationship with china. >> he loved the job in china they called him back to take over the cia. >> in 197 athe senate's church committee was investigating abuss by cia operators abroad. >> a lot of people think he was signaling his own political steps now to go to the ci na. a troubled time. he would come in to say there were abuses and we're going to clean it up jimmy carter elected president meaning bush would be out as head of the cia and set his sights on the white house he thought head a

chance, everybody and connelly fizzelled out early. bush and reagan now rival autos she shrugged it out face-to-face. and bush got the nomination. >> bush seemed in line for the second spot on the ticket. his. >> everything saying ford was going to be the pick. he called me up and said george i want you to be my vice president. >> and so there was a little tentativeness on the part of governor reagan. they were initially cool and disstant -- distant and suspicious of him. george bush won't land a helicopter coming back from texas on the south lawn of the white house because only the president lands on the south

lawn. george bush would not advance himself on the expense of the president he was as loyal to president reagan as he could be. >> george bush was vice president he did for president reagan most of the protocol. he got to know the royal leaders intimately before he became president. >> at a funeral in 1985 bush first met gorbachov. >> he is very different than any of the soviets i have known. >> he used television ads to sharpen his image. >> there was a great sense of humor saying how are you going to help be president? you're already vice president. >> living in ronald reagan's shadow for eight years had draw backs.

>> i said nen in the pacific i fought with didn't believe that. i don't think you'll hear from people who believe it, other. >> there are a lot of great stories about the under dog winning and this is going to be one of them. >> in 1988 republican national convention he talked about himself. >> for seven and a half years i've helped the president and that is the most difficult job on earth. >> he was very important and he did. >> another part of the speech would come back to haunt him as a broken campaign promise. >> congress will push me and i'll say to them... read my lips. no new taxes. >> it was a tough battle for

bush. >> the vice president jimmy carter called this the worst campaign ever. >> george bush supported cut backs in american education. >> whoever started down this road first is negative campaigning, american people can all come into cross. >> there is a negative campaigning i don't want to sound like a kid in the school yard, he started it. >> george bush would go on to win in a landslide by seven million votes. >> people have spoken. >> still to come how the president used his person experience to deal with old enemies and new friends. i stepped on the machine, and it showed me the pressure points on

my feet and exactly where i needed more support. i had tired, achy feet. until i got my number. my dr. scholl's custom fit orthotics number. now i'm a believer. you'll be a believer, too. learn where to find your number at drscholls.com.

live from america's news headquarters i'm patti ann brown, oil prices jumped to a nine-month high after iran stopped exports to britain and france, cutting off supplies after the european union imposed tough sanctions on iran last month and the 27 nation eu accounts for 18% of the exports z whitney houston was laid to rest next to her father in a private ceremony in new jersey on sunday. friends and family gathered to mourn one of the most popular singers of all time. fans lining the motorcade route. the funeral held saturday in newark's new hope baptist church. houston was found dead in a beverly hills hotel room last week at age 48.

i'm patti ann brown, now back to our special special. >> i george herbert walker bush. >> the distance is into a room called tomorrow. great nations of the world are moving towards democracy through the door to freedom. >> on the other side of the low, a crisis was erupting. unarmed demonstrators chanted and clashed with government troops and tanks. >> the president knew a lot of

the leaders some personally in china. and he took measured steps. >> when he responded mostly by cutting off ties he had with the chinese. because the military, he tried to call and the chinese said we don't do business like thachl the president wanted to talk to them. he tried to restore peace some kind that won't destroy an important relationship. it worked. >> by november 1989 protestors in east germany were demanding freedom to cross into the west. then, the unthinkable happened. >> after the berlin wall came

down, it showed us to show more emotion. >> we didn't know how the so farrit military was going to react whether they're going to say enough, we're not going to be kicked around like this. >> just weeks after the fall of the wall bush had a summons from russian leader gorbachov. and the. >> i wanted to do it on a ship. i think back to the days roosevelt did that kind of thing. and we're going to have exchanged visits. it was received well and he won't come to our ship. >> no agreements were sign bud they struck a cooperative tone leaving some to believe this

defined the end of the cold war. bush was on the verge of another foreign policy challenge. removeal of noriega. >> there was a reaction in pan -- pan ma. -- panna ma. >> and had to get rid and we did use force. by the time that happened the president called all of the leaders in latin america. >> his foreign policy team faced explosive situations around the world. but the president needed to divide his attention between events abroad and pressing domestic issues at home. also during his presidency he nominated judge clarence thomas to the supreme court. he signed american was disabilities act into law. >> d.a. -- a.d.a.ensures

employers can not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. >> george bush firmly believes the bonds of trust and cooperation. it's fwoft get on the phone and talk to someone. >> president bush would call his foreign counter parts. >> he would say why don't we put in a call to president x. it makes my job easier. >> the president from france known for a stoic, formal individual. the reagan administration had a hard time getting a t.. thaw in relations to france. president bush invited him to his home. no tech ties and very informal. it helped the united states improve dramatically its relationship with france. >> bush invited other foreign

leaders to his home m maine. his style of personal diplomacy. but the test came when iran's saddam hussien invaded neighboring kuwait. >> when saddam first attacked kuwait his approach was to go to nata and go to the un to. talk to friends and allies about the international coalition. >> so when tough roads needed to be taken as it related to desert storm the president of the united states could touch back bais with the president of france. >> once again, americans could step forward to share a cheerful goodbye with families before leaving for a strange and distant shore. and at this moment, they serve together. in the dream of a new world

order. >> bush had drawn a clear line in the sand. he was able to put together a coalition of 25 or more countries unheard of in modern day. soley on personal persuasion and resolve. on his own experience and knowledge. >> that coalition was quite unprecedented. i mean it was almost all of the rest of the world against iraq. >> one team formed international coalition he faced an agonizing decision. how the 41 president confronted the dictator saddam hussien. the employee of the month isss... the new spark card from capital one. spark miles gives me the most rewards of any small business credit card. the spark card earns double miles... so we really had to up our game. with spark, the boss earns double miles on every rchase, every day. that's setting the bar pretty high.

owning my own business has never been more rewarding. coming through! [ male announcer ] introducing spark the small business credit cards from capital one. get more by choosing unlimited double miles or 2% cash back on every purchase, every day. what's in your wallet? cleaning better doesn't have to take longer. i'm done. i'm gonna...use these. ♪ give me just a little more time ♪ [ female announcer ] unlike mops, swiffer can maneuver into tight spaces without the hassle and its wet mopping cloths can clean better in half the time, so you don't miss a thing. mom? ahhhh! ahhhh! no it's mommy! [ female announcer ] swiffer. better clean in half the time. or your money back. [ roger ] tell me you have good insurance. yup, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...allstate. really? i was afraid you'd have some cut-rate policy. [ kyle ] nope, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...the allstate value plan. it's their most affordable car insurance -- and you still get an allstate agent. i too have...[ roger with voice of dennis ]...allstate.

[ roger ] same agent and everything. [ kyle ] it's like we're connected. no we're not. yeah, we are. no...we're not. ♪ the allstate value plan. dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like allstate. ♪ grew up in a small town and when the rain would fall down ♪ ♪ i'd just stare out my window ♪ ♪ dreaming of what could be and if i'd end up happy ♪ ♪ i would pray i could breakaway ♪ ♪ i'll spread my wings and i'll learn how to fly ♪ i'll do what it takes till i touch the sky ♪ ♪ i gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change, and break away ♪

♪ wanna feel the warm breeze, sleep under a palm tree ♪ ♪ feel the rush of the ocean ♪ ♪ get on board a fast train, travel on a jet plane far away ♪ ♪ and break away ♪ out of the darkness and into the sun ♪ ♪ but i won't forget the place i come from ♪ ♪ i gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change, and break away ♪

two hours ago allied air forces planned an attack. >> he made a thoughtful decision he was the one what who had to give a lot of specifics. >> our strategy was simple. first cut it off. >> this brutal dictator will do anything and use any weapon

no matter how many innocents. >> and part of the coalition he gets this, was not just american foreign policy. this is international aggression. >> our armed forces fought with valor, i can report to the nation aggression is defeated. >> operation desert storm considered a success lasting just 43 days. >> endorsement of a spirit contributing to this victory for world peace and justice is the same that gives us power

to meet our challenges at home. and he and his administration continued to deal with the soviet union. >> trying to move at a pace that was approved by then, it was. >> president bush told us, wait a minute, i don't want any bologna. we have a lot of missions to do. and i don't want anyone in the administration sticking it in their eye. >> gorbachov resigned and the soviet union dissolved the following day. >> and had he not handled it the way he did, it may have

ended differently. >> by the grace of god, america won the cold war. >> the reelection campaign was based on the benefits of the peaceful end of the cold war. >> people will could do great things if you set them free. if we can change the world we can change america. >> free market and service. bush believed this would encourage world change. >> service to others. it's a rich story of meeting in life. >> george and i have seen communities gather around parents of a gravely ill child helping them take care of the other children. >> president bush began his bid for reelection and his approval ratings reaching 89%. >> who do you trust in the election? candidates who raised taxes one time and repressed it or other candidates who raised taxes and fees 128 times and

enjoyed it every time? >> and reversing his read my lips no new taxes seemed disastrous, one reason lumed plummeted. >> i made a bad call on the democrats tax increase. i underestimated congress gres's addiction to taxes and i agreed to a hard bargain, one tax increase one time in return for the toughest spending limits ever. >> mr. bush, 12 years you've had it your way it and didn't work. >> i don't have exkbreerns in running up a $4 trillion debt. >> he said it's the economy, stupid. his greatest triumph turned against him. >> in i just called governor

clinton and offered my congratulations. >> we jumped in about 19% of the vote. >> and all of them might have gained. >> start out with mr. rogers and it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, then you had john wayne. and put them together you've got george herbert walker bush. >> during his final days he worked to recognize american who's he thought made a difference. >> a suck he isful life is one that includes serving others. >> because he felt it was worth it to keep triggering people to think differently about what they thought and

believe is success in their lives. >> one thing is for sure, dinot lack for inspiration or support during those four years. so whether we got some things right, history can make that determination. >> up next, what does a former president do after life in the white house? here is a hint. visit the rockies. it's even br than i thought. welcome to progressive. do you guys insure airstreams? yep. everything from travel trailers to mega motor homes. and when your rv is covered, so is your pet. perfect. who wants a picture with flo? i do! i do! do you mind? got to make sure this is -- oh. uh... okay. everybody say "awkward." protecting your family fun. now, that's progressive. call or click today.

always an avid sportsman he is the only u.s. president ever to sky dive. his record is five, and seems

like he can stand for a long time. he sees those as mission was messages. >> when he jumps out of an airplane he makes a cause out of to it help institutions just because you're an old guy you don't have so sit around drooling in the corner. >> live for a former president could be a serious threat such as a failed assassination attempt. 16 men were convicted. and he has been honored for his life in service many ways. and the ship is an aircraft carrier. and he was knighted by queen elizabeth, from kuwaties he received a door inscribed when when a man gives you the key to his home it means you're a

valuable friend. when he gives a door to his home it means you're part of the family. >> i wondered what my mother would think about this library. and say she would say don't you think is egotistical? it's all about you?. >> 0 years ago my father started points of light institute 20 million americans were volunteering. today, over 06 million are serving the community. >> there is evidence mr. bush's life has inspired others around the world. >> last 20 years president bush hadded the movement. there has been a huge adoption of a life of service. >> they indicate volunteerism move smt growing. >> going to 64 million

americans serving in 20 years. just imagine what problems we can solve if we get 100 million people volunteering. >> i think everybody wants to feel that sense of being in touch with something bigger than themselves. >> my brother lived and died in service to other people. >> highlight of the conference on volunteering and service recognition as the daily point of light. and honoring his brother's live. >> it embraces that spirit of compassion and community service that was so natural and evident after the attacks. >> since 1989 thousands of individuals and organizations have been recognized for solving community problems through volunteer service. >> when haiti happened i saw it on the news like everyone else.

and had to get involved. >> from corporations to young people helping. >> i was able to promote service projects to engage more students and to encourage some to stay in school. >> personally, what do i get out of it? i take way more than i give. >> i'm not going to solve world problems but i may be part of it. >> now, i have joined them. >> it isn't having a lot of money. you know? being a celebrity. you know? because i've gone through that. and. >> chuck norris a friend of president bush became a point of light creating kick start

kids. marshal arts program design forward at-risk kids. >> we have graduated 70,000 kids in 18 years and most going on to college. >> norris is invited to join president bush's 80th birthday celebration. 2011 bush received presidential medal of freedom. >> this is an honor. >> and president clinton spoke about how president george w bush brought two political opponents together he asked me not once, but twice to work with his father to help people in need. folks in south asia and tsunami, then in the gulf coast after hurricane katrina. it was an amazing experience. this man i'd always liked and respected and then, run against,.

>> becoming president of the united states how can you beat that when your goal is to make a difference in the lives of millions of people not just in the united states but around the world? i'm proud of how he served. >> and three most rewarding titles bestowed upon me are the three i've got left. a husband, a father and a grand dad. to that i can only had rich blessings of friendship. >> when asked about his life george bush used an expression he learned as a young naval aviator. feeling and visibility unlimited. he faced many storms george

bush believed you can see something new to do and accomplish. from washington i'm brit human. -- hume. when i inspect homes, i can't be in an allergy fog. so i get claritin clear for strong, non-drowsy relief of all my allergies like dust mold pets and pollen. looks good. thanks. i live claritin clear.

[ horn honks ] [ dog barks ] [ dog whimpers ] [ wind whistling ] [ dog whimpers ] [ roger ] tell me you have good insurance. yup, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...allstate. really? i was afraid you'd have some cut-rate policy. [ kyle ] nope, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...the allstate value plan. it's their most affordable car insurance -- and you still get an allstate agent. i too have...[ roger with voice of dennis ]...allstate. [ roger ] same agent and everything. [ kyle ] it's like we're connected. no we're not. yeah, we are. no...we're not. ♪ the allstate value plan. dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like allstate.