Good evening. Im chuck todd here in washington. We are, of course, continuing our special coverage as the nation remembers and mourns the loss of president george h. W. Bush. This is the service at the u. S. Capitol that is beginning literally right now. President bushs remains have just entered the capitol. Lets watch. Let us pray. We give you thanks, almighty god for the appearance among us, of great men and women who serve as inspirations for all americans to be their best in service to god, country and neighbor. This day, we honor our 41st president , george h. W. Bush. President bush dedicated his entire life to Public Service, as a vocation. First, in the military, then as a member of congress, a diplomat, director of the cia, Vice President and, finally, president. It is a record of service reminiscent of john quincy adams, and unmatched in nearly a century. We thank you, oh god, for having endowed president bush with and ask that his example of service to others might be an inspiration to all american ame indeed to all the world. As we continue this celebration of honor, grant who attend to these proceedings might be our best selves, in service to all our brothers and sisters, as you might call us to be. Dear lord, thank you for inspiring such greatness in president george h. W. Bush and continue to bless the United States of america. Amen. That was the house chaplain. Youre about to hear three je l eulogy us, starting with mitch mcconnell, paul ryan and then the Vice President. 30 years ago, on the west front of this capitol, George Herbert walker bush addressed the nation for the first time as our president. He said, we meet on democracys front porch. A good place to talk, as neighbors and as friends. The words of a humble servant who loved his fellow citizens and of a principled leader who knew america not only guards our own future, but also safeguards democracy for the world. Today, this hero has returned to the cap titol a final time. Not on the front porch of our democracy this time, but here, in its hallowed cathedral. Beneath paintings that tell the story of our land and our liberty. And flanked by statues of his fellow champions whom he joined in making that story possible. George bush was just a teenager when he volunteered for military service and became the navys youngest aviator. He was only 20 only that september day in 1944 when his plane was hit on a bombing run. But through the fire and smoke, george bush stayed steady at the controls. Only once he accomplished his mission did he parachute out over the pacific. A steady hand staying the course. Thats what george bush gave us for decades. Decorated aviator, congressman, ambassador to the United States, envoy to china, cia director, eight years as Vice President and our commander in chief. Through the cold war and the soviet unions collapse, he kept us on course. When the rule of law needed defending in the persian gulf, he kept us on course. With his even temperament and hardwon expertise, George Herbert walker bush steered this country as straight as he steered that airplane. He kept us flying high and challenged us to fly higher still. And he did it with modesty and kindness that would have been surprising in someone one tenth as tough and accomplished as he was. The patriot who lies before us was blessed with many gifts. But there was no doubt which he prized most of all. A great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce, and the grace and virtue they taught their children have enriched this nation through a family of leaders. Today, the nation stands with that family, with our 43rd president , with jeb, neil, marvin and all the bush grandchildren and gre greatgrandchildren. We stand with you in mourning, but also in gratitude. Gratitude for lives welllived and duties thoroughly fulfilled. Gratitude that god gave this country george and barbara bush, and that they may now be reunited in the light of his grace. As americans, we have no more solemn duty than laying a great patriot to rest. Here lies a great man. To the bush family, on behalf of the whole house, republicans and democrats, we are profoundly sorry for your loss and we are honored to celebrate this wonderful life with you. Like so many, i feel a personal debt of gratitude today, a sentiment no doubt countless millions of americans are feeling at this moment. The 1988 campaign, that was the first one i was ever involved in. We handed out literature at the jam jamesville baseball games and the rock county fair. I remember going to this big rally at miami of ohio the day after the first debate. The whole experience really drew me into politics. He was the first president i had the chance to vote for and he was the first president to teach me and many of us that in a democracy, sometimes you fall short. And that how you handle that, that is just as important as how you win. An old preacher once said, grace is but glory begun and glory is but grace perfected. Grace is but glory begun and glory is but grace perfected. Glory is transcendent in the life of our republic. This rotunda is a trumpet call to glory. Tributes to the giants all the way up into the sky. Grace grace is different. Its more elemental. It is not larger than life, it is the stuff of life. The connective tissue in a free society. It deepens the well of our common humanity. Throughout his life of service, president bush personified grace. His character, his character was second to none. He reached the heights of power with uncommon humility. He made monumental contributions to freedom, with a fundamental decency that resonates across generations. No one better harmonized the joy of life and the duty of life. Theres that indelible image of him as commander in chief during the gulf war, waving to a sea of troops during a visit during thanksgivin thanksgiving. There are all these images we have of him as a devoted husband, that twinkle in his eye that barbara always brought out, especially in those big, huge family photos you all had in kennebunkport. This one, i will never forget. There was that image of him as a loving father reaching out to hold his sons hand at the National Cathedral after 9 11. Theres this letter he wrote his children on the last day of 1990, as he wrestled with the decision over operation desert storm. He begins by recounting the family christmas and he apologized if he seemed distracted. I tried not to be, he writes. Then for about a page, he elaborates on his struggle over sending Young Americans into harms way. Twice in the letter he writes, every human life is precious. And the original copy, he adds by hand a note wishing his family a new year. In consequential times, George Herbert walker bush demonstrated the finest qualities of our nation and our humankind. A great leader and a good man. A gentle soul of firm resolve. He showed us that how we live is as important as what we achieve. His life was a hymn of honor. His legacy is grace perfected. His memory will belong to glory. God bless the 41st president of the United States. Speaker ryan, leader mcconnell, leader schumer, leader pelosi, members of congress, distinguished guests, but most of all, to president george w. Bush, governor jeb bush, neil, marvin, doro and the entire bush family, it is deeply humbling to stand before you today at the beginning of a week in our nations capitol when we will commemorate and celebrate the lifetime of service and leadership of the 41st president of the United States. President George Herbert walker bush. The bible tells us to mourn with those who mourn and grieve with those who grieve, and today, on behalf of the first family and my family and the American People, we offer our deepest sympathies and respects to your family. And we thank you for sharing this special man. With our nation and the world. Today, president bush becomes the 32nd american to lie in state in the United States capitol rotunda. Soon, americans from every corner of the country and every walk of life will make their way to this rotunda to pay the respects of a grateful nation. Upon the death of abner, it is written that king david said, do you not realize that a great man and commander has fallen in israel today . George Herbert Walker bush was such a man. While he was known as the quiet man, it was not for lack of nerve or daring. For in all of his 94 years, president bush never lost his love of adventure and he never failed to answer the call to serve his country. Born into a tradition of Public Service, George Herbert walker bush began his own life of service when he was still in high school. After the japanese attacked pearl harbor in december 1941, he wanted to do his part, so, he enlisted in the United States navy on his 18th birthday. On receiving his wings, he became the nations youngest naval aviator, and was sent to the south pacific, where his story almost ended. September 1944, on a bombing raid, his aircraft was hit. His engine caught fire. But he still managed to hit his target before bailing out and being rescued by American Forces after some four hours at sea. All told, he flew 58 combat missions, and for his bravery under fly, he earned the distinguished flying cross, which would have been enough honor for any american life, but George Herbert walker bush was just Getting Started. After he came home, he staked his claim to a booming postwar america by making a name for himself in the oil business. For four years, he walked these halls as a congressman from houston. President nixon took notice of the young texan and asked him to be our ambassador to the united nations. He led our party during a tumultuous time for the presidency, and after earning the respect of another president , he did the work of a diplomat, as the first United States envoy to china and led the cia. And then, for eight years, George Herbert walker bush served as the 43rd havenVice President of the United States. Im told he once joked about the job, saying there was, quote, nothing substantive to do at all. But as history records, during those years, he set the standard. As a sound counselor and loyal adviser to an outsider who came to washington, d. C. To shake things up. Cut taxes, rebuild the military, and together, they did just that. And then, in 1988, he made history again and George Herbert walker bush was elected in a landslide as the 41st president of the United States of america. Becoming the first sitting Vice President to win the presidency in more than 150 years of our history. He served during an uncertain time in the world, made momentous by his leadership. President bush oversaw the crumbling of the berlin wall, and under his leadership, america won the cold war. He took our nation to war to rappel aggression in the persian gulf and through his leadership as commander in chief and the brilliance of our armed forces, the United States won a decisive victory. When president George Herbert walker bush left office, he left america and the world more peaceful, prosperous and secure. President bush was a great leader who made a great difference in the life of this nation. But he was also just a good man. He was devoted to his wife, his family and his friends. I was lucky enough to meet him in 1988, when he was Vice President. And i was a 29yearold just Getting Started in politics. Then, as always, i was struck by his approachability. There was a kindness about the man that was evident to everyone who ever met him. All his years in Public Service were characterized by kindness, modesty and patriotism. He was so modest, in fact, that he never wrote an autobuy kwog if i. But he did leave a record of his life in the thousands of letters that he wrote. Im told that he started writing letters to his parents when he was 18 years old, and over time, his circle of correspondence grew to include family, friends, advisers, staff, business associates, former president s. And just about anyone who would take the trouble to write to him. After a lifetime of writing letters, my son got one just not too long ago. As i told two of his sons this weekend, when our son made his first tail hook landing as a marine aviator on the uss George Herbert walker bush, i took the liberty of writing the ships namesa namesake, to ask for a small favor. I didnt write him as a Vice President to a former president , i just wrote as a proud dad of a marine aviator to a former navy pilot. I asked him to sign a picture of the flight deck that i could give to my son. Now, we were told by the staff that the president had long since ended the practice of signing autographs and we understood that. But little to my surprise, just in time for my sons winging, there came not only a signed photograph, but of course, a letter. Handsigned, as well. August 2018. In that letter, president bush wrote to my son, in his words, congratulations in receiving your wings of gold. I know how proud you and your family are at this moment. And then, in words that assured us that the letter came directly from him, he wrote, though we have not met, i share the pride your father has for you during this momentous occasion and i wish you many cavu days ahead. All the best, g. Bush. I would come to learn that that acronym, cavu, is a term navy pilots have used since world war ii. It stands for ceiling and visibility unlimited. President bush described cavu, in his words, as the kind of weather we navy pilots wanted when we were to fly off our carrier in the pacific, and he once wrote a letter to his children, saying that cavu, in his words, describes my own life as its been over the years and as it is right now. Ceiling and visibility unlimited. Though that may well describe the essence of this man, and it may well have been his vision, the vision he had for his life, for his children, his childrens children and his country, no barriers, no boundaries, no limits. So, we mourn with those who mourn and grieve with those who grieve, but we do not grieve like those who have no hope. For president George Herbert walker bush had that hope. His faith sustained him throughout his life of service and we pray that faith will be a source of comfort for all those who mourn the loss of this good man and great american. President George Herbert walker bush loved his family and he served his country. His example will always inspire and his lifetime of service will be enshrined in the hearts of the American People forever. May god bless the memory of George Herbert walker bush and god comfort his family and friends and may god continue to bless the United States of america. Those three eulogies there from the three official leaders of congress, the head of the senate, the head of the house and, of course, the president , there, of the senate. Now were about to hear from the Naval Academy glee club here and we will let that play out, as well. Oh beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain for Purple Mountain majesty above the fruited plain America America god shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life America America may god thy til all success in nobleness and. Were about to see a few wreaths about to be laid in bipartisan fashion by the bipartisan heads of the senate. Michael beschloss is here with me. And michael, this is an opportunity for the entire American Public to say goodbye to george h. W. Bush. This is the moment for everybody, this is the peoples capitol, and theyre going to be able to go through this tonight, as soon as this official ceremony is over. You will see lines of people going in here and paying their last respects, you know, reminds me of after john kennedy was in exactly the same place, you know, his remains were also on the lincoln cat that fall, just as george bushs are tonight. All through the night, they streamed in. People would look at the crowds and sort of say, why are you here . And every single one would give a different story. Beautiful moments. Ann compton, you covered this president very closely, you one of my great joys was working with you during the obama white hou house, you were at another network. George h. W. Bush he appreciated these moments. He knew that america needed them. Even though i think personally he might be uncomfortable with this, but chuck, the warmth and grace of the tributes to George Herbert walker bush over the last almost 72 hours, now, suddenly, this moment seems to be a moment of exquisite pain, especially for that family sitting there. Theyre the only ones in chairs, the rest of the audience is stand, and especially for president george w. Bush, who is now facing the reality, sitting there, looking at his fathers casket, and it is he in that face you and i have known so well, a moment of real stress its all really becoming real to him. It is. Its a whos who of the republican party. Michael steele also here with us, as well. Michael, i assume this was you were a young man when he was the head of the republican party. Yeah youre still a young man. I appreciate that. No, really, i mean, the fact that this weekend, there