Former President George Bush told business
leaders in Salina the world is a safer place than when he was
president.

Despite international terror, Bush noted there's no longer a
super-power like the Soviet Union.

The nation's 41st president spoke last night at the annual
meeting of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. About 25-hundred
people jammed into the city's Bi-centennial Center.

Bush advised young people who worry about a war or a depression
to get involved in their communities.

And he told business-owners the markets are solid for investors,
and that he has no doubt the nation is in economic recovery.

kake.com Extended Web Coverage

George H.W. Bush

• George Herbert Walker Bush was the United States of America’s 41st President.

• Born in Milton, Massachusetts on June 12, 1924.

• Bush enlisted in the armed forces on his 18th birthday.

• Bush was the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings. He flew 58 combat missions during World War II.

• On one mission over the Pacific Ocean, as a torpedo bomber pilot, he was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire. He was rescued from the water by a U.S. submarine.

• Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in action.

• In 1945, Bush married Barbara Pierce. They had six children, George (Current President of the U.S.), Robin (died as a child), John (known as Jeb), Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy.

• At Yale University Bush graduated as a member of Phi Beta Kappa and served as Yale’s baseball team captain.

• He served two terms as a Representative to Congress from Texas. Twice he ran unsuccessfully for the Senate.

• Bush was appointed to many positions during his political career, including, Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

• Bush lost the Republican nomination for President in 1980 to Ronald Reagan. Reagan then chose Bush as his running mate.

• In 1988 Bush won the Republican nomination for President and, with Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his running mate, he defeated Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis in the general election.

• In 1992 Bush lost his bid for reelection to Democrat William Clinton.

Source: www.whitehouse.gov (White House Web site) contributed to this report.