President George H.W. Bush Statue in Liberty Square

On October 27, 2020, the Government of Hungary and the U.S. Embassy in Budapest unveiled the statue in honor of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st president of the United States, in Liberty Square in Budapest on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the fall of communist rule in Central and Eastern Europe.

 

Video remarks on President Bush and his statue

It was a historic moment when President George H.W. Bush addressed the people gathered to greet him in Kossuth tér, Budapest, in 1989. And it was a heartwarming moment at the same time as he tore up his written speech saying: “You’ve been out here for too long. Let me just speak to you from the heart. And I’ll be brief.” Whether you were there and can relive that moment through this video now, or see it for the first time, we hope you will enjoy it!

“I didn’t realize the historical significance of the visit at the time… but I do now.” In this video, Tim McBride, personal aide to President G.H.W. Bush, reflects on their historic visit to Hungary in 1989, and about the years working with him. He recollects fascinating behind-the-scenes memories, and offers his impressions of a man who was not only the leader of the country, but also a great and caring person.