Honoring Former President George H.W. Bush

The late President George H.W. Bush arrives at the U.S. Capitol

The casket of the late President George H.W. Bush arrives at the East Front of the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Kristie Boyd.

The late President George H.W. Bush arrives at the U.S. Capitol

The casket of the late President George H.W. Bush arrives at the East Front of the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Kristie Boyd.

Former President George H.W. Bush lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

Former President George H.W. Bush lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. The casket rests on the Lincoln Catafalque. Photo by Dana Barciniak.

The casket of former President George H.W. Bush enters the Rotunda

The casket of former President George H.W. Bush enters the Rotunda on Monday, December 3. Photo by Dana Barciniak.

The Capitol Rotunda will be open until 7 a.m. on Wednesday, December 5, for the public to pay their respects.

Former President George H.W. Bush lay in state at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, December 3, 2018. The 41st President died Friday, November 30, at 94 years old. He will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until Wednesday, December 5.

Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives and Vice President Mike Pence gathered in the Rotunda on Monday to pay their respects to President Bush. Former President George W. Bush, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and other members of the Bush family were also in attendance.

“Throughout his life of service, President Bush personified grace. His character was second to none,” said Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. “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.”

President Bush served as President from 1989 to 1993. He also served as Vice President from 1981 to 1989 to President Ronald Reagan. He began his lifetime of service at 18 years old as a naval aviator and represented Texas’ 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives prior to his presidential service. 

“Ceiling and visibility unlimited,” said Vice President Pence, reflecting on one of the late president’s favorite sayings from his Navy days. “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 children's children, and his country. No barriers, no boundaries, no limits.”

A state funeral will take place on Wednesday, December 5, at the Washington National Cathedral before President Bush is flown to Houston, Texas. He will be interred next to his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush, at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

The Capitol Rotunda will be open until 7 a.m. on Wednesday, December 5, for the public to pay their respects. To enter the Rotunda, the public must enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located beneath the East Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol at First Street and East Capitol Street NE.