Former President George W. Bush defended his legacy on Thursday at a dedication ceremony for his new presidential library in Dallas, Texas, reaffirming his belief in freedom that guided his administration’s policies over the last decade, at home and abroad.
“I believe that freedom is a gift from God and the hope of every human heart,” Bush said. “Freedom inspired our founders and preserved our union through civil war and secured the promise of civil rights….ultimately, freedom lights the path to peace. Freedom brings responsibility.”
He added: “As president, I tried to act on these principles every day. It wasn’t always easy, and it certainly wasn’t always popular. One of the benefits of freedom is that people can disagree. It’s fair to say I created plenty of opportunities to exercise that right.”
