President Bush mourns Gordon B. Hinckley

Statement from President George W. Bush:

Laura and I are

deeply saddened by the death of our friend, Gordon B. Hinckley. While

serving for over seven decades in the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints, Gordon demonstrated the heart of a servant and the

wisdom of a leader. He was a tireless worker and a talented

communicator who was respected in his community and beloved by his

congregation. As President of his church, he traveled to more than 60

countries to spread a message of love and optimism to the millions of

people around the world who shared his faith.

A Mayflower descendent and the grandson of Mormon pioneers, Gordon was

a deeply patriotic man. His leadership and service strengthened the

Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University, the Boy Scouts of

America, and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. In 2004,

I was honored to present him with the Medal of Freedom, our Nation's

highest civil award, in recognition of his lifelong public service.

Laura and I will miss Gordon's friendship and wisdom. Our thoughts and

prayers are with his five children and the rest of the Hinckley family.