Bush arrived in Washington to say goodbye to ex-president Gerald Ford

George Bush and his wife returned to Washington from Texas on Monday to honor the memory of the 38th US President Gerald Ford in a ceremony in the building of Congress. On Tuesday, they will take part in the State Panchid under the 38th President of the United States in the main temple of the American capital-the National Council, ITAR-TASS reports.

Hundreds of Americans come to the Rotonta of the Capitol, where the coffin with the body of Ford is installed. They take the turn in the morning, despite the rainy weather. On Saturday December 30, in his weekly radio show, Bush called Ford "one of the best public figures of those who knew America." On New Year's Eve, the celebrations in many cities were interrupted by a minute of silence shortly before 2007.

Access to the Congress building for farewell to the 38th US President will last until Monday evening in local time. On Tuesday, the coffin will be transported to the National Cathedral, where a memorial service will pass. On Wednesday, Ford's body will be transported to his native state - Michigan, where he will be buried in the city of Grand Rapids next to the museum dedicated to the former president.

Ford died at the age of 93. He became the most long living of all the presidents of the United States, overcoming the line in 93 and 121 days. This record belonged to Ronald Reagan before.

Ford worked as the president for two and a half years, becoming the only united leader of the United States, having come after Richard Nixon's resignation. Nevertheless, his decision to pardon Nixon caused public discontent and helped the representative of the Democrats Jimmy Carter to win in the 1976 presidential election. Several attempts were organized on Ford.

The short rule of Ford was marked by a continuation of the discharge policy in relations with the USSR. So, he paid a visit to the Soviet Union and met with Brezhnev in Vladivostok.