Why George Herbert Walker Bush and William Jefferson Clinton Should be Deemed the Most Influential Person of 2006

How do you pick one person to be the most influential person? We are influenced every day of our lives by people in all walks of life from politicians to actors to world renowned scientists and sports figures. They can influence us in so many ways, both positive and negative, by their example in one specific incident or by their example over a period of time involving many different circumstances.

In this instance, George Herbert Walker Bush and William Jefferson Clinton should be considered as one for the Most Influential Person of 2006 for their continuing work to help people all over the world overcome disasters and for the example they set for us all in showing us how two people with such diverse ideas and beliefs, who have been adversaries in the past, can unite as one to make a difference in the world. Barbara Bush has a nickname for them. She calls them the odd couple and President George W. Bush has said that they are so close, he is beginning to think of President Clinton as an older brother.

Their partnership began back in 2004 when the present President Bush asked the two of them to work together and coordinate the United States' relief response to the tragedy of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean. They did and their efforts were a great success. When Hurricane Katrina struck, they came together again and raised more than $120 million.

They are still at work helping the people of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. The organization does not give money to individuals, but through local qualified agencies, who have to pass strict qualifications in order to participate Over the past year, their Katrina Fund organization has provided grant money to hundreds of churches, synagogues, temples and mosques of all denominations in all three states. And they are still accepting applications.