George Bush

Emperor Hirohito, a man once despised by much of the world as the symbol of ruthless Japanese military aggression, was honored by the international community today as kings, presidents and other representatives of 163 countries attended his elaborate state funeral.

As former President George W. Bush, joined by President Obama and three living former presidents, dedicates his library this week in Dallas, it's important to remember that presidential libraries are relatively new. In 1941, while he was still in office, Franklin D. Roosevelt established the first such archive in Hyde Park, N.Y., to preserve personal papers and mementos from his time in office. His successor, Harry Truman, signed the Presidential Libraries Act into law, authorizing the National Archives to help set up and operate these treasure troves of American politics and policy.

The President rose from "Bush league" to "world class" in 100 hours. JOHN A. SELEINE Seal Beach

DALLAS - The five men who have held the title of president gathered to celebrate the dedication of George W. Bush's presidential library at Southern Methodist University on Thursday, a rare reunion that focused on praising his achievements and made only passing reference to the controversies that divided the country during his administration. Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush, President Obama and all the living ex-presidents - Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Bush's father, George H.W. Bush - spoke at a gathering that proved far more collegial than their past political disputes.

Bully for George Bush! After eight years in the present Administration he has suddenly discovered environmental conservation. Now how long will it take him to discover taxes?--about five months, d'you think? AMY H. WILSON Torrance

I hope Conrad keeps up the good work. He has helped make Ronald Reagan the most popular President of our time. I hope he will do the same for Bush. FRANK MUNICINO Camarillo

DALLAS - A day of festivities leading up to Thursday's dedication of the George W. Bush presidential library cast attention back to his tumultuous presidency and ahead - perhaps - to the next presidential contest. Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was hired to speak in Dallas to the National Multi Housing Council, a group of apartment firms. The Wednesday dinner was closed, and officials did not disclose how much Clinton was paid. Earlier, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush spoke before wealthy Republican donors - and also students, teachers and office workers - at an event sponsored by the nonpartisan World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.

WASHINGTON - President Obama, the four living ex-presidents and thousands of others head to Dallas on Thursday for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The challenge facing library officials will be to keep the crowds coming after that. Popularity translates into box office receipts at presidential libraries. And although Bush's poll ratings have improved since he left office, more Americans continue to view him negatively than favorably. By contrast, even presidents whom voters threw out after one term - Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Bush's father - were regarded favorably by the public by the time their libraries opened.

DALLAS - What do neo-classicism and neo-conservatism have in common? That's the question at the heart of the design by New York's Robert A.M. Stern Architects for the George W. Bush presidential library, set to open to the public May 1 on the campus of Southern Methodist University. The $250-million complex holds the president's archive as well as a museum, restaurant, auditorium, policy institute and foundation. Officially known as the George W. Bush Presidential Center, it is carefully and cannily contextual, like much of Stern's work.

NEW YORK - An independent review of the U.S. government's anti-terrorism response after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks found that it was "indisputable" the U.S. engaged in torture and the George W. Bush administration bore responsibility. The report released Tuesday by the Constitution Project, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, is an ambitious review of the Bush administration's approach to the problems of holding and interrogating detainees after the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Jenna Bush Hager and her husband Henry have made George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, grandparents. "Laura and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our grandchild, Margaret Laura 'Mila' Hager," the former president announced Sunday on Facebook . Little Mila, who was named after her grandmothers, was born at 8:43 p.m. Saturday in New York City, he said. She was 6 pounds, 15 ounces and a 19¼ inches long, "Today" said after receiving an email from the new dad saying both of his girls were "healthy and well.

HOUSTON -- A Texas charter bus bound for an Oklahoma casino overturned Thursday on a Dallas-area highway, killing two and injuring dozens of elderly passengers, authorities said. The bus crashed about 9:10 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the President George Bush Turnpike in Irving, Texas. “For an as yet undetermined reason, it traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck what's called an impact attenuator,” a rubber device attached to the concrete, said Sgt. Lonnie Haschel of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

J. David Kuo, 44, an evangelical Christian and former top official of President George W. Bush's faith-based initiative who later accused the administration of failing to live up to the president's promise of "compassionate conservatism," died Friday of cancer. Kuo's family announced his death Saturday on his Facebook page. "Last night at 10:25 our beloved David found his reward in heaven, with his savior Jesus Christ," the family wrote. "With a peaceful last breath, he won his courageous 10-year battle against brain cancer.

SACRAMENTO --It may well be the most sophisticated campaign for land commissioner in American history. George P. Bush, son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and the nephew and grandson of former presidents, is going into the family business, with a run for state land commissioner in Texas. But a new fundraising solicitation making its way around California circles shows this is not your every day local race. The solicitation comes from the desk of some California financial heavyweights who are helping the latest Bush to burst onto the political scene to raise some campaign cash.