George Bush

TLS as president, one page, 6.75 x 9, White House letterhead, June 28, 1991. Letter to pioneering NASA astronaut Deke Slayton, in full: "From one 'high performance engine' to another, many thanks for your thoughtful letter and for sharing with me your experiences having atrial fibrillation. I'm feeling great, back up to 100 percent. You understand how good it feels to be running again, and I'm going to take your advice to stay with it." Bush signs his name after a brief handwritten postscript, “Give my best to David H.” In fine condition, with light toning from prior display. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.

On May 4, 1991, while jogging at Camp David, President George Bush experienced shortness of breath and chest tightness. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. This letter highlights a common, debilitating condition shared by the president and the astronaut. Slayton was scheduled to pilot the second U.S. crewed orbital spaceflight, but was grounded in 1962 by atrial fibrillation. In March 1972, he was medically cleared to fly and served as the docking module pilot for the 1975 Apollo–Soyuz Test Project.