United States of America-China Chamber of Commerce is saddened that Prescott Sheldon Bush, Jr., its Founder and Chairman Emeritus, has died on June 23 at the age of 87 in Massachusetts. Known as "Pres" to his friends, he was a Founder of USCCC in 1993 and served as its Chairman for 10 years until he reached the age of 80.

Born into a political family, Pres was the oldest son of Senator Prescott Sheldon Bush, elder brother of President George H. W. Bush, and the uncle of President George W. Bush. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and then went on to Yale University. Pres worked briefly for Pan American Airways in South America and then worked for Johnson & Higgins, an insurance brokerage firm in New York. Pres was always a friend of the people, and many Chinese would call him by his first name.

China has a special place in the hearts of the Bush family. Pres traveled to China frequently even after he reached 80. He devoted significant resources of his own to promote the understanding between the peoples of the two great nations. "During his tenure as Chairman, not a single day passed that Pres and I did not talk," said Siva Yam, President of USCCC. "We worked closely during the peaks and valleys of U.S.-China relations and the ups and downs of the economy. We believed that USCCC should be independent and for the people, and Pres would travel to places wherever I needed him despite his health and the length of the journey."

Pres is survived by Elizabeth ("Beth"), his wife of 66 years; James Bush, his son; Kelsey Bush-Nadeau, his daughter; and 6 grandchildren. USCCC is deeply indebted to him. He will be greatly missed, and his contribution to bridging the gaps between the U.S. and China will always be remembered.

 
With best,

Siva Yam, CPA, CFA
President
U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce