The forty-first president of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, arguably had more preparation for the office than any other man who has held the office. Having been a success in the oil business after his heroic service in World War II and graduation from Yale University, Bush served as a Congressman from Texas, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee during the Watergate scandal, the U.S. Chief Liaison to the People's Republic of China, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the 1960s and 1970s. Although he served only one term, President Bush saw the nation through the end of the Cold War, the 1989 invasion of Panama, and the first Persian Gulf War in Iraq all in defence of the principles of liberty and political self-determination for all peoples. In so doing, he demonstrated a sense of loyalty to long-time friends that largely defines his life and career in public service.