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TRIBUTES TO HON. BOB DOLE 

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Bob Dole 

U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS 

TRIBUTES 

IN THE CONGRESS OF 

THE UNITED STATES 

UNUM

E PLURIBUS


congress.#15
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Bob Dole U.S. Senate Historical Office 


28300.002
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U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 2007

S. DOC. 109–16 

Tributes 

Delivered in Congress 

Bob Dole 

United States Congressman 

1961–1968 

United States Senator 

1969–1996 

÷ 

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Compiled under the direction 

of the 

Joint Committee on Printing 

Trent Lott, Chairman 

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CONTENTS 

Page 

Biography .................................................................................................. v 

Proceedings in the Senate: 

Tributes by Senators: 

Alexander, Lamar, of Tennessee ............................................... 22 

Brownback, Sam, of Kansas ...................................................... 15 

Cochran, Thad, of Mississippi ................................................... 13 

Enzi, Michael B., of Wyoming ................................................... 25 

Frist, William H., of Tennessee ................................................ 3 

Harkin, Tom, of Iowa ................................................................. 21 

Hutchison, Kay Bailey, of Texas ............................................... 24 

Inhofe, James M., of Oklahoma ................................................ 27 

Martinez, Mel, of Florida ........................................................... 23 

McCain, John, of Arizona .......................................................... 18 

McConnell, Mitch, of Kentucky ................................................. 19, 20 

Roberts, Pat, of Kansas ............................................................. 8 

Smith, Gordon H., of Oregon ..................................................... 11 

Stevens, Ted, of Alaska ............................................................. 4, 6 

Warner, John, of Virginia .......................................................... 6, 7 

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Biography 

ROBERT JOSEPH DOLE was born in Russell, KS, on July 22, 

1923, the eldest son of Doran R. and Bina Talbott Dole. He 

is married to the Honorable Elizabeth Hanford Dole, current 

Senator from North Carolina, and has one daughter, Robin, 

from a previous marriage. 

BOB DOLE was raised on the plains of western Kansas. He 

is a graduate of Russell public schools, and attended the 

University of Kansas, Lawrence. He received an A.B. and 

LL.B from Washburn Municipal University in 1952. 

Senator DOLE entered active duty in the U.S. Army in 

June 1943, after completing his sophomore year at the University of Kansas. He served 51⁄2 years and was a 10th 

Mountain Division platoon leader in the Allied liberation of 

Northern Italy. Twice wounded and twice decorated for heroic achievement, Senator DOLE was discharged with the 

rank of captain, in July 1948, having convalesced for 3 years 

from grave wounds sustained in combat. His decorations include two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf 

Cluster. 

Senator DOLE was elected to the Kansas Legislature in 

1950 and served in the House of Representatives from 1951 

until 1953. He was elected to four consecutive terms as Russell County Attorney, from 1952 to 1960. In 1960, Senator 

DOLE was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and 

reelected in 1962, 1964, and 1966. He was elected to the U.S. 

Senate in 1968 and was reelected in 1974, 1980, 1986, and 

1992. His distinguished career in the U.S. House and Senate 

includes, among many assignments, long-standing service as 

a member of the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, and chair of the Senate Finance Committee. 

In 1984, he was elected Senate majority leader, 1 of only 

18 Americans to serve in that position. According to Congressional Quarterly, Majority Leader DOLE ‘‘proved a point that 

badly needed proving at the time: the Senate could be led.’’ 

Ronald Reagan said, ‘‘His title of leader is not just a job title, 

it’s a description of the man.’’ 

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After serving in four consecutive Congresses as Senate Republican leader, he retired from the Senate in 1996 to seek 

the GOP nomination for the Presidency. As the Republican 

Presidential nominee Senator DOLE offered himself to Americans as an honorable leader. His candidacy for the White 

House cemented his reputation as an honest, respected 

statesman who will long be considered one of the most powerful Senators and brilliant legislators of our times. 

Senator DOLE was not only the Republican candidate for 

President of the United States in 1996, but also the Republican candidate for Vice President in 1976. He served as Republican National Committee chairman from 1971 to 1973. 

Among numerous distinguished appointments, Senator DOLE

has been an advisor to the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1965, 1968, 1974, 

1975, 1977, and 1979; a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1977; a member of the National Commission on Social Security Reform in 1983; a 

member of the U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in 

1970 and 1973; an advisor to the U.S. Delegation to Study 

the Arab Refugee Problem in 1967; and an advisor to the 

President’s Delegation to Study the Food Crisis in India in 

1966. 

In addition to his vigorous law practice in the Nation’s 

Capital, Senator DOLE maintains a strong commitment to 

public service. Among several roles, he recently chaired the 

International Commission on Missing Persons and the Federal City Council. Among the honors he has been accorded, 

he is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the 

Nation’s highest honor for distinguished service; the American Legion’s prestigious Distinguished Service Medal; and 

the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Teddy Roosevelt Award. The Robert Dole Scholarship Fund for Disabled Students has recently been established in his honor at 

the United Negro College Fund. 

Recognized as one of the most prominent political figures 

of our time with a distinguished record of service, BOB DOLE

continues to make a difference in the lives of the American 

people. Known for his unconventional candor and prairie wit, 

Senator DOLE is a rare quality, especially in Washington. 

In 2005, Senator DOLE made his latest contribution to the 

country with the publication of his best-selling World War II 

memoir, ‘‘One Soldier’s Story.’’ The book chronicles his 

harrowing experience on and off the battlefield and the lesVerDate jan 13 2004 15:30 Mar 26, 2008 Jkt 028300 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6688 Sfmt 6688 C:\DOCS\PRINTED\28300.TXT CRS1 PsN: SKAYNE
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sons learned through his struggle to survive. ‘‘One Soldier’s 

Story’’ is a tribute to those who defended liberty in its darkest hour and his gift to future generations, a destined-to-be 

classic about overcoming adversity and making the most out 

of life. 

As chairman of the National World War II Memorial, Senator DOLE led the Nation in honoring the heroes of his generation and helped enshrine their legacy of sacrifice for freedom. 

As a renowned political commentator, a frequent guest on 

late night talk shows, star of two Super Bowl commercials 

and author of two best-selling books on political humor 

‘‘Great Presidential Wit, I Wish I Was In The Book’’ and 

‘‘Great Political Wit, Laughing (Almost) All the Way to the 

White House,’’ DOLE is part of the American landscape. 

Following the attacks of September 11, Senator DOLE

joined forces with former rival President Bill Clinton to serve 

as co-chair of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, assisting the educational needs of the families of the World 

Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Flight 93. In January 2003, he was appointed honorary co-chair of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, part of 

President Bush’s USA Freedom Corps. 

The American public started seeing the lighter, entertaining side of Senator DOLE’s legendary sense of humor 

with his post-election appearances on ‘‘The Late Show with 

David Letterman,’’ ‘‘Saturday Night Live,’’ ‘‘The Tonight 

Show with Jay Leno,’’ ‘‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien,’’ and 

‘‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.’’

This tough, commonsense conservative from America’s 

heartland accumulated political achievements second to 

none. He earned national acclaim for his leadership on behalf of the disadvantaged and Americans with disabilities, 

and for his mastery of foreign affairs. Senator DOLE’s effectiveness as a consensus-builder and his commitment to deficit reduction and economic growth have earned him the admiration of Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike. 

On issue after issue, Senator DOLE is a statesman who has 

made his mark. 

President Bush called Senator DOLE ‘‘a great Republican 

leader, as great as any in the past.’’ Retired General and 

Secretary of State Colin Powell called him ‘‘a plain-spoken 

man of strength, maturity and integrity.’’

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TRIBUTES 

TO 

BOB DOLE 

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Proceedings in the Senate 

TUESDAY, June 13, 2006 

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this Sunday marked the 10th 

anniversary of Senator ROBERT DOLE’s retirement from the 

U.S. Senate. From humble beginnings on the plains of western Kansas, BOB DOLE has risen to become one of our most 

accomplished and respected public figures of the 20th century. 

BOB DOLE was elected to Congress in 1960 as a Representative of the Sixth District of Kansas. He was immediately 

chosen by his fellow freshman colleagues to lead the freshman class. His ability to lead and inspire, his dry wit and 

savvy, would characterize his ascent to the peaks of political 

life. 

BOB DOLE was reelected for three more terms before being 

elected to the Senate in 1968. 

In 1971, Senator DOLE was chosen to lead the Republican 

National Committee, a position he held for 2 years. 

It was a tumultuous time for America. His steady hand 

earned him the Vice Presidential nomination alongside Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. Jimmy Carter won. But that 

didn’t hinder Senator DOLE’s steady climb. 

Over the next decade, Senator DOLE moved up through the 

leadership ranks, and in 1984, he was elected to succeed 

Senator Howard Baker as majority leader. While Democrats 

regained control of the Senate in 1986, Senator DOLE continued to lead his party as minority leader. In 1994, Republicans swept Congress, and Senator DOLE was once again 

elected majority leader. His 12 years as the leader of his 

party in the Senate set a record, and made him the longest 

serving Senate leader of the Republican Party since its 

founding in 1854. 

I learned a lot from Leader DOLE during my first few years 

here. We saw eye to eye on most issues, but when we didn’t, 

he always encouraged me to vote my conscience. 

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He respected my commitment to family, and with my three 

young sons, he was always careful to ensure that the schedule wouldn’t run over my time with my wife and children. 

And he took the time to listen to all colleagues. While 

many remember his famous admonition, in meeting after 

meeting, to ‘‘work it out,’’ what fewer recall is that he would 

pursue votes, and ideas, and solutions over and over and 

over to lead to the point where, indeed, we could ‘‘work it 

out.’’

Our Senate party was in good hands under his stewardship. He was a good partner for President Reagan and President Bush. And the respect President Clinton paid him was 

impressive, even across party lines. 

I was proud to begin to know him during my early years 

here. His portrait hangs on the wall in my conference room, 

making him part of our leadership meetings every week. I 

have often thought about what he might do when challenging situations arise around here. 

And as much, I have often wondered what quip he might 

have offered to break the tension at a tough moment. 

With my leadership team, we have made some tough calls 

under his watchful gaze. In 1996, Senator DOLE was chosen 

by the party to run as its Presidential nominee. It was the 

capstone to a remarkable career. 

World War II hero, dedicated public servant, master of the 

Senate, and champion of the conservative cause, Senator 

DOLE has stamped his place in American political history. 

Although he has left office, the elder statesman has in no 

way retired. He has authored two best-selling books on political humor, and a personal memoir of his life as a soldier. 

He is invited to speak all over the world to offer his wit and 

keen insights into the issues of our time. President Reagan 

once said of Senator DOLE: ‘‘His title of leader is not just a 

job title, it’s a description of the man.’’

This plain-spoken, honest and humble man from Russell, 

KS, is the genuine article. 

One of the brightest stars of the Greatest Generation, Senator DOLE served his country with bravery and dedication. 

He has earned the affection and respect of his fellow citizens. 

And he will always be remembered for his humor, leadership, graciousness and humility—and for the honor he has 

brought to political life. 

Mr. President, I yield the floor. 

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, yesterday, we honored our 

colleague, Senator Robert Byrd, for achieving an important 

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milestone in our Senate’s history. Today, we come to the 

floor to pay tribute to another man who stands out as a giant 

among those who have served in this Chamber, Senator BOB

DOLE. Last Sunday marked the 10-year anniversary of his 

retirement from the Senate. 

BOB DOLE and I came to the Senate at the same time. We 

have worked together a great deal. When I was Republican 

whip and he was our party’s Vice Presidential nominee, I 

was asked to help him prepare when he debated Walter 

Mondale—the first Vice Presidential debate in history. 

BOB helped us pass the Alaskan Native Land Claims Settlement Act, which paved the way for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. And he supported the Alaska Lands Act and the Alaska 

Railroad Transfer. In short, BOB DOLE is a great personal 

friend, a friend to me and to Alaska. 

BOB was—and still is—a leader in the truest sense of the 

word. Whenever I think of BOB DOLE, I think of the great 

many men I have known who were tested in World War II. 

Like my good friend Senator Inouye, BOB DOLE is a true war 

hero. He was tested in war and injured and struggled back 

through a long recovery. Like all great leaders, BOB takes 

great challenges of life and uses them to improve the world 

around him. 

Having been injured in World War II, he dedicated much 

of his time in public service to improving the opportunities 

for disabled Americans. 

Those of us in the Senate who were fortunate enough to 

call BOB a colleague for 27 years, chose him to serve as our 

leader six times, when we were in the majority and the minority. He reached out to those who disagreed with him. He 

listened to advice. You never had to ask him twice to know 

where he stood; his word was—and is—his bond. As President Reagan said: ‘‘His title of leader is not just a job title, 

it’s a description of the man.’’

I think BOB’s decision to resign his seat rather than stay 

in the Senate and campaign for the Presidency demonstrates 

what a devoted public servant he is. I have now been in the 

Senate over 30 years, and I have seen Members of this body 

run for President and miss vote after vote because they were 

on the road campaigning. 

BOB DOLE loved the people of Kansas too much to leave 

them without a voice in the Senate, so he resigned. I believe 

that took great courage. If there is one thing about BOB

DOLE that there is no shortage of, it is courage. BOB himself 

said, when he resigned from the Senate: 

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One of the qualities of American politics that distinguishes us from other 

nations is that we judge our politicians as much by the manner by which 

they leave office as by the vigor with which they pursue it. You do not lay 

claim to the office you hold, it lays claim to you. Your obligation is to bring 

to it the gifts you can of labor and honesty and then to depart with grace. 

By his own standards, BOB DOLE stands out as one of the 

most noble and dignified men who ever graced these Halls. 

Senator DOLE did not win the 1996 Presidential election, 

but his commitment to public service has not wavered. He 

still contributes to the public debate through his writing and 

speaking, and he has remained active on the campaign trail. 

We have been fortunate that since his retirement another 

Dole has joined this Chamber—his wife, Senator Elizabeth 

Dole, who serves the people of North Carolina and our Nation, also, with great distinction. 

When Senator DOLE resigned from the Senate 10 years 

ago to run for President, he and I were the only remaining 

Members of the class of 1968. We have a bond that was 

forged on the morning of January 3, 1969, when we each 

took the oath to serve our country in the Senate. That bond 

never fades, and I salute his service today. 

Thank you, Mr. President. 

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from 

Virginia. 

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, before the distinguished 

Senator departs, I say to the Senator, you made mention of 

his heroic service, together with that of yourself and Senator 

Inouye in World War II. But I think the Record should reflect how you and I and others in the Chamber—Senator 

Inouye—supported him in the World War II Memorial. This 

was something that was very dear to his heart, and he became the national public figure to really raise those funds—

almost all of the dollars from the public sector: dollars from 

veterans, dollars from all across America, and, indeed, some 

from beyond our shores. 

To his credit, every time I pass it—and I am sure you view 

that magnificent memorial—I always remember his contribution in erecting it. 

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator from Virginia is correct, Mr. 

President. Senator Inouye and I were pleased and proud to 

join him and you in that effort. And we are delighted that 

the sponsors of that memorial remembered Alaska and Hawaii. They are in the memorial although they were not 

States during World War II. 

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I thank the Senator. 

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I thank my distinguished 

colleague. I played a very minor role in World War II in the 

last year, the closing year, when my class of 17-, 18-year-olds 

joined. 

And I say to the Senator, you, sir, were a great hero in 

that war, as was BOB DOLE. 

Mr. President, I also thank our colleague, Senator Smith, 

for initiating this recognition on the 10th anniversary of BOB

DOLE’s retirement from the Senate. 

When I came to the Senate—it is hard to believe—28 years 

ago, he very soon became a figure to whom I would turn 

from time to time to seek advice and counsel. He had a magnificent ability to reach across the aisle. And he very firmly 

believed in the concept of trying to do as much business as 

we could in a bipartisan way. 

Much has been said about trips we take in the Senate. I 

value the trips I took with Senator DOLE. I remember one 

very vividly when he quickly put together a delegation to 

visit Boris Yeltsin when he rose to the top position in the 

then-Soviet Union, watching BOB DOLE with that new world 

leader, the two of them together trying to reach common 

ground and common understanding in the midst of the cold 

war between the United States and the then-Soviet Union. 

He was a man who wisely thought about how this is one 

world in which we live today. Be it the means of our national 

security or otherwise, we have to have the vision to look 

abroad. 

I also remember another day very clearly. That was in connection with one of the anniversaries of the landing of D-day. 

He asked me to accompany him. He spoke in Italy that day. 

Then we doubled back and went up to Normandy. We also 

incorporated in that trip a visit to a small village on the top 

of a mountain. All the way up the side of the mountain, the 

old bus we were in was zigzagging up a narrow road. There 

were little signs: Welcome home, BOB DOLE. After a luncheon, he took me and one other Member of the Senate and we 

walked a short distance from the hotel up on a hillside 

where there was a small stone wall. We stood there and 

joined him in a silent moment of prayer. Prayer was very important, as it is now, to BOB DOLE. That wall was where he 

fell wounded and survived under extraordinary circumstances, largely owing to one of the civilian partisans 

who helped him get back to receive medical care. I will remember that moment always. 

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I also draw to the attention of my colleagues—I am not 

here to sell books—a great book he wrote called ‘‘Great Political Wit, Laughing (Almost) All the Way to the White 

House.’’ In it he talks about himself. I particularly like this 

from the last page of the book: 

Don’t feel too bad for me. The appearance of this book coincides with the 

fiftieth anniversary of Harry Truman’s stunning upset of Tom Dewey in 

1948, which not only changed the course of American history but produced 

a patron saint for every political underdog since. Like Truman, I have a 

Midwestern preference for plain speaking, and a sometimes impolitic habit 

of laughing at pomposity. Although there have been times when I have been 

forced to eat my words—or swallow my pride—I still find it hard to take 

too seriously people who take themselves that way. 

What people often forget is that the last laugh doesn’t belong to the victorious candidate—it belongs to the late-night [show] comics. 

In that book, he also told a story. I think this is applicable 

to close out my brief remarks this morning: 

As presiding officer of the United States Senate, Vice President Calvin 

Coolidge declared his intention to master the rules governing the world’s 

greatest deliberative body. This didn’t take long, said Coolidge, who quickly 

discovered that the Senate has but one rule, which is that the Senate will 

do whatever it wants whenever it wants to. 

I yield the floor. 

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from 

Kansas. 

Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, special thanks to my colleague and friend, Senator Gordon Smith, who represents 

the State of Oregon and our Nation with grace and civility, 

intelligence and accomplishment, for this special order paying tribute to our Kansas Senator BOB DOLE. 

It doesn’t seem possible that it has been 10 years since 

BOB’s tenure as our majority leader ended, a tenure that represents the longest serving Senate leader of our Republican 

Party since the founding of the Grand Old Party in 1854. 

During those 12 years of leadership, there were difficult and 

challenging times. But BOB DOLE’s legacy was and is legislative accomplishment, always in Bob Dole style, a unique 

mixture of principle and compromise when necessary, comity, his great gift of wit and humor and good old Kansas 

common sense. 

In 1968, when BOB first ran for the Senate, his theme song 

was ‘‘Let a Leader Lead the Way.’’ He certainly did. It would 

be impossible to list all of BOB’s legislative achievements, but 

the Dole Institute at the University of Kansas does provide 

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some highlights. I ask unanimous consent that they be printed in the Record. 

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be 

printed in the Record, as follows: 

1962 Amendment to National School Lunch Act 

1966 Food for Peace Act 

1969 Controlled Dangerous Substances Act 

1970 Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act 

1971 Amendments to Federal Water Pollution Control Act 

1973 Rural Health Care Delivery Improvement Act 

1974 Campaign Finance Reform Legislation 

1977 POW/MIA Vietnam Legislation 

1977 Food Stamp Program 

1979 Taiwan Foreign Relations Act 

1980 Biotech Industry Incentives Act 

1981 Immigration Reform Legislation 

1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act 

1981 Hospice Care Legislation 

1982 Voting Rights Act Extension 

1983 Bipartisan Social Security Act 

1983 Emergency Food Assistance Program 

1983 Martin Luther King Holiday Bill 

1984 Comprehensive Crime Control Act 

1985 Televised Senate Proceedings Resolution 

1985 Landmark Farm Bill 

1986 Tax Reform Act 

1986 Terrorist Prosecution Act 

1987 Homeless Assistance Act 

1988 Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act 

1988 INF Arms Control Treaty 

1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act 

1988 Welfare Family Support Act 

1990 Clean Air Act 

1990 Americans with Disabilities Act 

1991 Desert Storm Authorization Resolution 

1993 North American Free Trade Agreement 

1994 Violence Against Women Legislation 

1995 Comprehensive Federal Agency Regulatory Reform Act 

1995 Congressional Accountability Act 

1995 Comprehensive Telecommunications Reform Act 

1995 Lobbying Reform Legislation 

1995 Safe Drinking Water Act 

1995 Medicare Trust Fund Legislation 

1995 Private Securities Legal Reform Act 

1996 Farm Conservation Bill 

1996 Line Item Veto 

1996 Omnibus Appropriations Act 

1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act 

1996 Bipartisan Immigration Control and Financial Responsibility Act 

1996 Bipartisan Anti-Terrorism Legislation 

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resent many programs and reforms that we now take for 

granted. BOB is probably most proud of the fact he led the 

way for disabled Americans, for our Nation’s School Lunch 

Program, not to mention the World Food Program where 

food and education combine as the most effective long-term 

answer in our current fight against terrorism. 

I have special memories and a personal perspective of the 

Bob Dole days in the Senate when I was in the House. Having the privilege of representing BOB’s former congressional 

district, the big First District of Kansas, knowing BOB DOLE

since his friendship with my father and later during my 

service as the administrative assistant both for BOB’s predecessor in the Senate, Senator Frank Carlson, and his successor in the House, Congressman Keith Sebelius, many assumed that whatever I was for, BOB was for. I would always 

emphasize that BOB DOLE was riding shotgun with me, 

whether he was or not. That was like having Wyatt Earp, 

Bat Masterson, Doc Holliday, and Matt Dillon all by your 

side during any kind of legislative shootout. Of course, if we 

won, I had to come over to the Senate and let him know. If 

we lost, I came over to ask for help. Either way, when the 

chips were down, it was a win-win with BOB on your side. 

In Kansas, our State society named Dwight David Eisenhower the Kansan of the 20th century, and we are still 

proud of and still like Ike. Historians have ensconced our native son as one of our greatest Presidents. The fact is that 

the Eisenhower legacy lives on with BOB DOLE. Ike was his 

hero, and by following his example, BOB has been accurately 

described as a towering figure and the most enduring Republican leader of the 20th century with a distinguished record 

of public service that has made a tremendous positive impact 

on our Nation. 

Following his elected public service, BOB has continued to 

contribute, to lead, and to achieve. I daresay without BOB

DOLE, the World War II Memorial would not be the centerpiece of the Mall in our Nation’s Capital. Most deserving of 

the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he has been and is an 

international emissary for peace and freedom and is involved 

in countless projects and causes. When I go back home to 

Kansas, Kansans always ask me: What do you hear from 

BOB? How is he doing? I tell them he is still on the go and 

doing what he has always done, that we still tow buckets together, and we don’t spill very much. 

Simply put, BOB DOLE continues to be a leader who leads 

the way. We in Kansas are proud of BOB DOLE. 

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My thanks again to Senator Smith for reserving this time 

honoring our native son. 

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from 

Oregon. 

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, it is a privilege to come to the 

Chamber and speak of BOB DOLE and also his distinguished 

wife, our colleague, Elizabeth Dole, both great public servants. . . . Mr. President, I was not in the Chamber 10 years 

ago when Senator DOLE resigned his seat. I was, in fact, on 

the campaign trail in the midst of an election campaign that 

he had helped to recruit me to run. I remember watching 

those proceedings and seeing the bipartisan affection in 

which Senator DOLE was held. I later met him many times 

on the campaign trail as he pursued the Presidency and was 

impressed by his courage in the face of very discouraging 

poll numbers and the high probability that he would not win 

and how hard he fought for us and others who were running 

to fill seats in the U.S. Senate. Elizabeth was at his side, 

and together they made a tremendous campaign and did 

honor to our country and to the Republican Party by the way 

in which they prosecuted a very difficult campaign cycle. It 

reflected honor upon our country. 

It is important that as we celebrate his resignation and his 

career that ended 10 years ago, we take occasion to reflect 

on his remarkable accomplishments. He served 27 years in 

this body, 11 of those as Senate Republican leader. BOB

DOLE’s remarkable record of accomplishment as a Senator is 

well known. It is not an exaggeration to say that his fingerprints could be found on nearly every major piece of legislation that passed Congress during the 1980s and the first half 

of the 1990s. 

It was BOB DOLE who reached across party lines to work 

with Senator George McGovern to create the Food Stamp 

Program. It was BOB DOLE who worked with Senators Harkin and Kennedy to bring about the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was BOB DOLE who worked with the late Senator 

Pat Moynihan to save the Social Security Program. 

I rise today not just to pay tribute to BOB DOLE’s legislative accomplishments; rather, I rise on this occasion to celebrate what he has done in the decade since he left this body. 

There can be no question that over those 10 years, BOB

DOLE has continued his lifelong commitment to serving his 

country, a commitment that began as a young soldier in the 

hills of Italy during the Second World War. Indeed, for many 

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Americans, BOB DOLE is the living symbol of what Tom 

Brokaw has termed ‘‘America’s Greatest Generation,’’ the 

generation of Americans who saved freedom during World 

War II. My generation is the beneficiary of BOB DOLE’s generation, the world we inherited, a world in which America 

assumed world leadership. My generation has been greatly 

blessed by patriots such as BOB DOLE. 

Perhaps BOB DOLE’s greatest contribution to the past decade was his chairmanship of the National World War II Memorial. Quite simply, that beautiful memorial would not 

grace our National Mall now had it not been for the persistence and leadership of BOB DOLE. 

BOB DOLE also volunteered for service after the attacks on 

September 11, when he joined with former President Bill 

Clinton to serve as co-chair of the Families of Freedom 

Scholarship Fund, which assists the educational needs of 

families of those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Flight 93. 

During his time in this Chamber, no Senator spoke more 

loudly and more eloquently about atrocities occurring around 

the world—specifically in Bosnia—than did BOB DOLE, who 

raised his voice loudly. He has continued his vigilance by 

serving as chairman of the International Commission on 

Missing Persons, traveling to the Balkans to provide closure 

to families of those who were victims of the genocide that occurred under Slobodon Milosevic. 

In January 2003, President Bush appointed BOB DOLE as 

honorary co-chair of the President’s Council on Service and 

Civic Participation. He has worked to connect countless 

Americans with service opportunities in communities, 

schools, and workplaces. 

BOB DOLE has also continued his commitment to ending 

the scourge of hunger, working with his former colleague, 

George McGovern, to advocate the expansion of School 

Breakfast Programs in the United States. They have also 

teamed to promote the expansion of the School Lunch Programs across the world through their Global School Feeding 

Initiative. 

BOB DOLE has also devoted a great deal of his time and 

energy to the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, which is located at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. The institute is one of America’s premier university-based political 

science and international affairs research institutes, dedicated to reestablishing politics as an honorable profession 

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and to promoting greater student and civic involvement in 

the democratic process. 

Along with all of these activities, BOB DOLE is one of 

America’s most popular public speakers, inspiring audiences 

with his courage, his humor, his love of America, and always 

with that trademark wit. He has also authored three books 

since leaving the Senate—two on political humor, and the 

most recent, ‘‘One Soldier’s Story,’’ which tells the remarkable story of his recovery from the wounds he suffered during the Second World War. 

Mr. President, BOB DOLE has often said that he takes inspiration in the State motto of his beloved Kansas, which is: 

‘‘To the stars through difficulties.’’ There can be no doubt 

that BOB DOLE reached those stars in serving his country as 

a soldier and as a public servant. He has proved time and 

again over the past decade that he continues to reach for the 

stars as a private citizen. 

I know all Senators join me in saluting BOB DOLE and 

thanking him for the positive difference he has made over 

these past 10 years. Part of that difference was supporting 

his wife Elizabeth and her campaign to win a seat in the 

Senate. Together, they are a remarkable American couple 

and have made a remarkable difference for the betterment 

of our country and even the world. 

Mr. President, I yield the floor. 

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from 

Mississippi is recognized. 

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I thank those who have 

come to the floor today to help honor our former colleague 

in the Senate, BOB DOLE. I don’t know of anyone who has 

had more of an influence on my career in the Senate than 

BOB DOLE, although Howard Baker, who was the Republican 

leader when I first arrived in the Senate in 1978, also had 

a great deal to do with my career here. 

I don’t know who coined the phrase ‘‘compassionate conservative,’’ but BOB DOLE was the epitome of a compassionate conservative. His legislative record is replete with examples of his leadership to help ensure the formulation and 

implementation of policies by our Federal Government that 

recognized the needs of those who were unable to care for 

themselves, or were unable to make progress economically, 

without the assistance of the government. 

He authored the Americans with Disabilities Act and 

helped lead the way for many Americans by his example of 

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how one can overcome disabilities. My friend Gordon Smith 

mentioned his authorship of the book ‘‘One Soldier’s Story.’’

That should be required reading for every American. It was 

a heart-warming yet heartbreaking account of his experiences in World War II in combat and his long road to recovery from the painful and life-threatening injuries he sustained in battle. 

You can also look to examples of when he was a leader in 

the Agriculture Committee on which I had the good fortune 

to serve as a new member, at a time when he was one of the 

true leaders in formulating agricultural policy for our Nation. He worked easily across the aisle with Herman Talmadge, the chairman of the committee at that time, and with 

George McGovern, another leader on the committee from 

South Dakota. They worked together to help craft improvements in the School Lunch Programs and other feeding programs that assist Americans who are unable to provide for 

their own nutritional needs. Think about that. This was at 

a time when the Federal Government was pretty well leaving these responsibilities to State and local governments, 

charitable organizations, and the Nation’s schools to formulate their own response to these challenges. 

But we became a Nation whose record of support for dealing with these problems has become a model for the world. 

As a matter of fact, he and George McGovern created a 

worldwide nutrition assistance program that today makes 

food and nutrition benefits available to the poorest of the 

poor in Africa and many other countries throughout the 

world. 

He was a leader in establishing a modern veterans benefit 

program and ensuring that a Cabinet-level position was 

available to help administer this program to be sure that all 

veterans, those who had disabilities or those who deserved 

pensions and other benefits because of their age or experiences in war, would have those benefits and could be a part 

of our national citizenship in every sense of the word. 

I recall very vividly when we elected BOB DOLE as our 

leader in the Senate on the Republican side. He was a master at getting things done, at working out problems, at bringing people together who had disparate views on subjects that 

we needed to take action on and deal with. He worked hard. 

He knew everybody’s personal interests and disposition. I 

was amazed at how he could stand before the Senate and 

stay there until the late hours of the evening, working out 

the intricacies of a tax reform bill, which he helped craft as 

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chairman of the Finance Committee, in charge of tax policies 

for our country. 

He was a Senator’s Senator in every respect, a warmhearted, humorous, delightful companion, who enriched the 

lives of all who served with him in the Senate. I suppose the 

highlight for me in my relationship with Senator DOLE was 

the nominating convention, when he was selected to be the 

Republican Party candidate for President of the United 

States. I was very excited about that. It was a wonderful decision. I could not think of anybody who would be better as 

President of the United States than BOB DOLE. I remember 

the night that the convention nominated him and he walked 

out on the stage to accept the nomination. It was really quite 

an event. Also, that night, I recall while they were counting 

the ballots on the floor, he invited Chuck Grassley from 

Iowa, our colleague in the Senate, and me to be with his 

family up in the suite in the hotel in San Diego to watch the 

last votes being counted, and then to proceed into the convention hall to accept the nomination. 

Mr. President, we miss BOB DOLE’s leadership in the Senate. We are delighted, though, the Senate is taking time to 

recognize the great service that he rendered during his career here. 

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I am in the Dole seat 

for Kansas. When Senator DOLE left, I ran for his seat and 

was fortunate enough to be elected. I worked with Senator 

DOLE for many years, when I was secretary of agriculture for 

Kansas. I first met him when I was Kansas State president 

of the Junior Farmers of America. I have had a wonderful 

relationship with Senator DOLE. He is an outstanding American, and he is an outstanding Kansan. He deserves tribute. 

We in the Senate are certainly blessed and honored each 

time we have the opportunity to rise on our feet on this floor 

and address this august body. At this moment, I feel particularly blessed and honored to be able to recognize my predecessor, Senator ROBERT JOSEPH DOLE. 

Today, we rise to mark the decade anniversary of Senator 

DOLE announcing his retirement to this body. On June 11, 

1996, Senator DOLE, as the Republican nominee for the Presidency, announced that he would resign his seat in the U.S. 

Senate. And some asked, Why would he retire with 2 full 

years left in his term and only 6 months left in the campaign? ‘‘I thought that was what was best for Kansas.’’ For 

while he was many things—a legislator, a statesman, a decorated war hero, a leader—Senator DOLE believed in his State 

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and he believed in service to his State and he thought this 

was the best for his State, and that he would run just as a 

man, an ordinary citizen. It was a tremendous tribute to his 

service and his believing in the service of this body, that if 

you couldn’t be here full time to do this work, he thought it 

would be better that he would leave it and bring somebody 

else in so that he could pursue the Presidency full time. 

The motto of our State is ‘‘Ad astra, per aspera.’’ That is 

a Latin phrase meaning ‘‘to the stars through difficulties.’’

Perhaps, considering our State’s motto, one could consider it 

also the motto for BOB DOLE. 

He was born in 1923 in Russell, KS. BOB DOLE was a teenager during the worst environmental disaster of my State’s 

history—that was the Dust Bowl. He was 11 years old on 

April 14, 1935, which was referred to as ‘‘Black Sunday.’’ On 

that day, a wall of dust covered the prairie of western Kansas, turning day into night. Some thought it was the end of 

the world. During those years, childhood friends of BOB

DOLE recalled postponing basketball games in the middle of 

them, four or five times during the game, just to sweep the 

piling dust off the floor. 

Some fled the dust. Others were withered by it. BOB DOLE

was formed by it. Years later, he would recount that ‘‘growing up on the edge of the Depression-era Dust Bowl, I was 

taught to put my trust in God and not government, and 

never to confuse the two.’’

Per aspera. 

As a young man, BOB DOLE rose to meet the greatest challenge his great generation would face—World War II. BOB

was a second lieutenant in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. He served in the mountains of Italy, where he and his 

unit faced some of the fiercest and challenging fighting of the 

war. BOB fought bravely. He was wounded. He fought again. 

He crawled from the security of his foxhole during intense 

fighting to assist a critically wounded radio operator, and in 

the process was shot in the back by a Nazi machine gunner. 

This time few thought he would survive. BOB DOLE was hospitalized for a total of 39 months. He gave up the use of his 

right arm. 

Ad astra—to the stars. 

For his wounds, BOB was awarded two Purple Hearts. For 

his valor, BOB DOLE was awarded the Bronze Star with an 

Oak Cluster. 

Ad astra—to the stars. 

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Returning to his native Kansas, BOB turned to his family, 

to his neighbors, and to his friends for support. Later, he remarked: 

I was sustained by neighbors, who were anything but stingy with their 

love and encouragement. I learned then, if I hadn’t already known it, that 

there is no such thing as a wholly self-made man or woman. 

He picked up where he left off and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Washburn University in Topeka, KS. From there, BOB DOLE began his political rise to 

the stars. 

Ad astra. 

BOB served in the Kansas State House as the Russell 

County attorney, and on January 3, 1961, Bina Dole’s little 

boy was sworn into the 87th Congress of the United States. 

Within a decade, DOLE had distinguished himself as a legislator and was sent by his fellow Kansans to serve here in 

this body. 

And here in this Chamber, BOB DOLE continued to serve 

the people of Kansas and this great Nation. He served them 

as chairman of the Finance Committee. He served them as 

the minority leader of the Senate. He served them as majority leader. He served them for nearly three decades, until exactly one decade ago today, when he retired. 

Today, BOB DOLE’s service is neither over nor forgotten. 

Having been recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom—a civilian honor, to match his military honors—he has 

continued to serve. He served as chairman of the International Commission on Missing Persons in the former Yugoslavia and the National World War II Memorial. He even 

gets a great deal of constituent casework of people contacting 

to ask if he could help out with this or that—and of course 

he does. He spearheaded the World War II Memorial effort, 

and what a beautiful memorial to the Greatest Generation it 

is. 

Also, I believe BOB served as the spokesman for a number 

of different commercial causes which have continued. And 

his humor continues unabated as well. 

I remember when serving as secretary of agriculture in the 

State of Kansas that Senator DOLE would address a number 

of farm audiences—sometimes from the back of a pickup 

truck. He would see a number of members of that audience 

who would often loosen up their belts and their overalls because they knew they were going to be in for an entertaining 

speech, a lot of times about 30 minutes or 25 minutes of 

jokes and one-liners and 5 minutes of politics. They loved it. 

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He loved it. They loved him. He loved them. It was a beautiful symbiotic relationship that BOB DOLE had with his 

State, with my State of Kansas. 

He also continues to serve as a trusted adviser and friend 

to guys like me. I have been honored to be able to serve in 

his seat. It is difficult to follow somebody of his legendary 

status and his ability as a legislator, his ability as a leader, 

and the contribution that he has made to this society, to this 

Nation, and to this world. Yet we try—and try with his advice. 

He is an important American of distinction. He is someone 

who truly deserves to be recognized. He is one who has 

touched many lives individually and millions of lives collectively. He is the epitome of the Greatest Generation, the generation that served the rest of mankind to beat off fascism, 

Hitler, and communism, and to give us the freest world that 

we have known. 

There are still wars to be fought, still battles to be fought, 

and we pick up the flag and carry it each and every day, but 

we owe so much in tribute to legendary leaders such as BOB

DOLE. 

Senator DOLE, on behalf of our country and our State, certainly from me personally, I say, thank you and God bless 

you. 

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with my 

colleagues in paying tribute to one of our Senate’s finest 

leaders, Senator BOB DOLE. 

Ten years ago, after representing his home State of Kansas in the House of Representatives for 8 years and in the 

Senate for over 27 years, Majority Leader DOLE resigned 

from the Senate. He did so in order to engage fully all of his 

attentions to his Presidential campaign. The Senate lost one 

of our greatest leaders that day, but BOB DOLE continues to 

be a national leader to this day. 

I traveled with him a great deal during his campaign, and 

it was a thrill for me. I was given the honor of introducing 

him at the 1996 Republican Convention—quite a humbling 

privilege for someone who considers himself far less distinguished than the man I was introducing formally to the Nation as the Republican candidate for the President. He may 

not have won that election, but he ran an honorable campaign and worked as hard as anyone I have ever seen on the 

campaign trail. BOB helped teach me the meaning of dedicating one’s life to a cause greater than one’s self-interest, 

and for this I will always be thankful. 

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Everyone knows that BOB is a decorated veteran through 

his sacrifice in World War II and that he faced a very hard 

road to recovery upon his return—a road that many selfless 

men and women today are similarly facing upon their return 

from the war in Iran and Afghanistan. Like BOB, they, too, 

are American heroes and they need and deserve to be reminded of that fact as often as possible. 

BOB DOLE’s distinction among his peers could have rested 

with his military service. But instead, he chose to continue 

serving his country and was as effective as he was, in my 

view, largely because of his experience as a war veteran. For 

example, his Senate leadership was essential to the efforts of 

Presidents Reagan and Bush to win the cold war. He built 

majority coalitions to help restore the readiness and modernization of our Armed Forces which had been so badly neglected in the previous decade. Thanks to his vision, America 

is better prepared to defend herself and others from those 

who want to cause us harm. 

While BOB may no longer be daily in the public eye as he 

enjoys life in the private sector, he still continues to focus his 

energy on issues of importance to our country. He co-chaired 

the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund with former 

President Clinton, helping to raise money for the families of 

the victims of 9/11 to pursue secondary educations. BOB also 

continues with his efforts on behalf of the disabled. And, of 

course, since leaving the Senate 10 years ago, he is also now 

enjoying the obligations of a Senator’s spouse. 

BOB DOLE is an American hero, and I am privileged to call 

him my friend. 

WEDNESDAY, June 14, 2006 

AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT TRIBUTES TO SENATOR ROBERT C. 

BYRD AND FORMER SENATOR BOB DOLE 

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senators be permitted to submit tributes to Senator Byrd and former Senator DOLE for the Record until Friday, June 16, and that each be printed as a Senate document. 

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The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. 

FRIDAY, June 16, 2006 

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I today salute a hero for 

all Americans, a leader for his party, and my friend, Senator 

ROBERT JOSEPH DOLE. 

This week marks 10 years since Senator DOLE retired from 

this Chamber, a day I remember well. Senator DOLE left as 

the longest serving Republican leader in Senate history. In 

fact, the beginning of his leadership tenure coincided with 

my first term in the Senate, starting in January 1985. 

Even then, it was clear that Senator DOLE was and is not 

just another Senator, but a national fixture in American politics. Author Michael Barone, writing in his ‘‘Almanac of 

American Politics,’’ has this to say about our friend from 

Kansas: 

Senator BOB DOLE is one of the large political figures of our time, in the 

middle 1990s towering over everyone else in the political landscape, even 

the president . . . for BOB DOLE is not only one of the most successful politicians of the second half of the 20th Century but also one of the most enduring. 

Powerful words about a powerful leader. Many of my colleagues have already recounted Senator DOLE’s extensive political career, his record of legislative accomplishment, and 

his leadership of the Republican Party, here in the Senate 

and as the Republican candidate for both President and Vice 

President of the United States. Beginning with his chairmanship of the Republican National Committee in 1971, 

Senator DOLE was a prominent player on the national stage 

for a quarter-century. 

Senator DOLE’s heroism on the battlefield is well known 

and revered by us all as well. In 1945, a young Lieutenant 

DOLE from Russell, KS, found himself on the hills of Italy, 

fighting the Nazis. Suddenly pain exploded in his back. Paralyzed by his war injury, BOB DOLE spent 4 years in hospital 

wards, relearning how to do simple tasks, like button his 

shirt. To this day his right arm remains largely paralyzed. 

I believe the determination and focus Senator DOLE must 

have had to recover from that injury explains his success in 

politics and with the American people. After struggling to regain control of one’s body, lining up a vote on a difficult bill 

might be a little less daunting. I have heard Senator DOLE

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say before that no honor that has come his way has ever surpassed the pride he felt at wearing his country’s uniform. 

As a Republican leader, BOB DOLE was about results, not 

symbolism or showmanship. President George H.W. Bush, 

for instance, cited him as instrumental in the passage of the 

Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Out of office, he has 

continued to serve his country, fundraising for worthy causes 

and raising awareness of the dangers of prostate cancer. 

Senator DOLE is also famous for his dry, Midwestern wit, 

which has lifted many of us here in the Senate in times of 

despair as well as levity. This is a man who, after losing the 

Republican Presidential nomination in 1988, assured an audience that he ‘‘went home and slept like a baby. Every couple of hours, I’d wake up and cry.’’

My colleagues and I continue to be graced every day in 

this Chamber by the presence of another prominent Senator 

Dole, the Senator from North Carolina. Elizabeth, I wish to 

express how happy we all are BOB has found you, and you 

have found BOB. You remind us of him every day, and we 

hope that you will tell him how much we all respect and 

miss him, and how pleased we are to honor his service. 

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, last Sunday marked the 10th 

anniversary of Senator BOB DOLE’s retirement from the Senate. BOB DOLE served the people of Kansas and the people 

of the United States of America as a Member of Congress for 

more than three and a half decades. He was outspoken on 

many issues, but, above all, I will always admire his tireless, 

passionate advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. 

The first speech that BOB DOLE ever made on the floor of 

the Senate—on April 14, 1969—was about the challenges 

faced by Americans with disabilities. That date was the 24th 

anniversary of the day he was gravely wounded in World 

War II. In fact, every year that he was in the Senate, on or 

about April 14, BOB DOLE made a statement on the floor 

about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. 

But BOB DOLE did much more than just talk about expanding access and opportunity for people with disabilities. He 

was an outstanding leader in bringing about change for the 

good. 

Most important, I will always be grateful for Senator BOB

DOLE’s leadership in helping to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Both he and I remember the day that 

it was signed into law as one of the proudest in our entire 

legislative careers. 

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It is hard to believe, but it has been nearly 16 years since 

we passed the Americans with Disabilities Act. Just as many 

predicted, ADA has taken its place among the great civil 

rights laws in our Nation’s history. Today, the impacts of 

ADA are all around us. Drive-through restaurants have visual displays allowing the deaf and hard of hearing to place 

their orders. Banks have talking ATMs, now, to assist those 

with visual impairments. Cities have installed curb cuts and 

ramps to allow wheelchair users easier access. And on and 

on. Just as important, because of ADA, we have seen an 

enormous change in attitudes. These changes that we see 

today, that we feel today, would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Senator BOB DOLE in 

working cooperatively to help get the ADA passed. 

On a bipartisan basis, we miss BOB DOLE here in this 

body. But the good news is that there is still a Senator Dole 

in the Senate, and our friend BOB has found a richly satisfying life after the Senate. Today, he continues to serve the 

American people in a whole range of voluntary capacities, 

proving President Reagan’s dictum that ‘‘you don’t have to be 

on the public payroll to be an outstanding public servant.’’ I 

salute my good friend, BOB DOLE, and I wish him all the 

best. 

Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, of all my colleagues, I 

suppose that in 1996 I was the one most hoping that BOB

DOLE would not retire from the Senate. That was because I 

was doing my best to defeat him in the New Hampshire 

Presidential primary. If I had, BOB had told several friends 

he was ‘‘going back to the Senate.’’ Well, Pat Buchanan beat 

both of us by a few percentage points, and BOB beat me. 

Within a few weeks, I was back in Tennessee at a press conference endorsing BOB DOLE and presenting him with one of 

my red and black plaid shirts. ‘‘I hope it’s his last one,’’ BOB’s 

friend Howard Baker was heard to mutter, referring to my 

shirt. 

I should have known better. In my first Iowa poll in June 

1995, pollster Whit Ayres said: 

Governor, this is the professional challenge of my career. The poll says, 

‘‘DOLE 54, Alexander 3, margin of error 4 percentage points.’’

The end result in the caucuses 6 months later was a good 

deal closer, but BOB DOLE won because he had earned for 

himself the unofficial title of ‘‘President of Iowa.’’ Iowans 

liked his spare talk, his good humor, his war record, and his 

middle-America brand of politics. 

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So did and does the rest of America. Not everyone comes 

out of a Presidential race more admired than when he or she 

went in. But BOB DOLE did. He ran three times, the last 

time securing the Republican nomination. And, I would 

judge, he is even more admired today than he was 10 years 

ago when he retired from the Senate. 

BOB DOLE is an emblem of America’s Greatest Generation. 

He and our colleague Elizabeth are together one of our country’s most admired couples. When we think of him, and of 

them, we think of what is best about public service in America and about our country itself. 

Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, today I honor a great 

American, a man who devoted his life to this Nation and to 

the just principles he believed in. Born in Russell, KS, ROBERT J. DOLE would serve his country as a war hero, risking 

his life for a fellow soldier fighting the forces of fascism and 

nazism in Italy; as a Senator, a great majority leader; my 

party’s candidate for Vice President and President; and 

today as an active private citizen fighting for veterans and 

the causes in which he believes. 

For his bravery in World War II, BOB DOLE received two 

Purple Hearts for his injuries, and the Bronze Star Medal for 

his attempt to assist a downed radio man. BOB DOLE served 

in the House and Senate representing his home State of 

Kansas. In 1971, President Nixon asked him to be the chairman of the Republican National Committee, a post he held 

for 2 years. Then in 1976, President Ford selected BOB DOLE

as his running mate for the Republican nomination. 

Recognizing his leadership, BOB DOLE rose to the pinnacle 

of our leadership here in the U.S. Senate as the majority 

leader. He was a tireless worker and effective champion of 

conservative principles, a strong foreign policy and personal 

freedom and responsibility. 

One decade ago, Senator DOLE resigned his post to devote 

himself fully to his 1996 Presidential campaign. As my party’s nominee he crossed the country running on a platform 

of lower taxation and smaller, more accountable government. 

Unfortunately, he didn’t win, but he developed a good working relationship with President Clinton and the two leaders 

have devoted their time and energy to many notable causes 

over the years. Shortly after the 1996 election, President 

Clinton bestowed upon Senator DOLE the highest civilian 

award in government, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

To those who know him, Senator DOLE is a regular comedian. One story goes that on the campaign trail in his home 

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State of Kansas, he would spend an hour at each stop telling 

jokes and only 10 minutes talking about politics. Senator 

DOLE was always able to demonstrate a quick wit, while also 

showing that he was well grounded in decency. 

Senator DOLE continues today to serve the many veterans 

of World War II who fought so valiantly to liberate Europe 

and defeat the Japanese. Most recently, it was his personal 

dedication and determination to see a monument honoring 

the sacrifice of the World War II veterans that led to the 

construction of the beautiful tribute to selfless service that 

now graces the National Mall. 

I wish Senator DOLE and his lovely wife, my colleague, 

Senator Elizabeth Dole, more happy years together and 

many happy returns to the U.S. Senate. 

Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I was first elected to 

the Senate in 1993 in a special election to fill the remainder 

of Lloyd Bentsen’s term. BOB DOLE, like my predecessor 

Lloyd Bentsen, is a member of the Greatest Generation—the 

generation of men who never wavered in answering the call 

to duty, fighting in distant lands to protect the free world, 

and returning home to build the greatest Nation on Earth. 

BOB DOLE epitomizes the Greatest Generation, not only for 

his heroic service in battle, but also for what he did when 

he came home, ultimately serving in the U.S. Senate. 

When I first arrived in Washington, Nancy Kassebaum of 

Kansas was the only other female Republican Senator. Fortunately, our leader, BOB DOLE, understood the unique and 

important voice women brought to the Senate. He graciously 

welcomed me from the first day, and I enjoyed working with 

him as he ascended from minority leader to majority leader. 

He was great in both roles, and I appreciate the leadership 

and support he provided in my early days. 

One of my first discussions with BOB was committee assignments. I told him I wanted to serve on the Armed Services Committee, as there are more military members serving 

in Texas than any other State. I hoped to carry on the great 

tradition of helping our men and women in uniform like so 

many Texas Senators before me. He understood why this 

committee assignment was important to me and realized the 

unique perspective I would bring to the national discussion. 

I was the first woman to sit on this committee in over 30 

years. Today, there are three women serving on the Armed 

Services Committee, including BOB’s wife, Senator Elizabeth 

Dole, who was elected from her home State of North Carolina after BOB retired. 

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On the 10th anniversary of BOB DOLE’s retirement from 

the Senate, I am proud to honor him for his many accomplishments and tireless service to our country. While we all 

regretted to see him go, we are grateful for the legacy he left 

behind, and I hope we can carry it forward for generations 

to come. He was a giant during his time in this institution, 

and when the history of the Senate is written, I am confident 

that he will be fondly remembered as one of our great leaders. 

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, it was just about 10 years ago 

that BOB DOLE announced his retirement from the Senate. 

It was 1996 and the Nation was in the midst of an intense 

campaign for the Presidency. BOB DOLE had decided to resign his Senate seat for the good of his home State of Kansas, his party, and his country. He knew he would have to 

focus all his energies on his campaign for President if he 

were to be successful, so he left Washington to answer another call to serve his country and provide a choice to the 

people of Kansas and the rest of the United States when the 

election was held in November of that year. 

We really shouldn’t have been surprised. Answering the 

call to serve his country was nothing new for BOB DOLE and 

he was proud to be able to do it. Over his life he had been 

many things, a legislator, a decorated war hero, and a leader 

both inside and outside of the Senate. Through the years, 

BOB DOLE had always answered the call to serve his country 

when he was needed, and I have no doubt that he will continue to do so for many years to come. 

It’s no secret. BOB DOLE has made it clear all his life. You 

want to know and understand him, you must first understand Russell, KS—the people who live there and the values 

and principles they hold dear. By coming to know the people 

of Russell, you understand the philosophy that BOB DOLE

has lived by his entire life. It’s a philosophy of hard work, 

and of always giving your best to whatever you choose to do. 

It is a reflection of his father’s view of the world—‘‘stewers 

versus doers.’’ Needless to say, you will always find BOB

DOLE in the ‘‘doers’’ group. 

That is why the story of BOB DOLE’s life is thoroughly 

intertwined with the story of Russell, KS. For it was when 

he was growing up in Russell that BOB DOLE committed 

himself to the service of God, country and family. They came 

to become his core values as he learned at a young age that 

there are things worth fighting for and that is what drew 

him to his service in the military. 

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Those who have chronicled those difficult years in our history have called him part of our Greatest Generation. Without any regard for himself, BOB DOLE left everything he 

called dear behind to face a challenge as great as any generation had faced before. Pearl Harbor had been attacked 

and the whole world had taken up arms in a battle against 

an unspeakable evil that had been unleashed upon the 

world. World War II had called him to action and BOB DOLE

was a young man serving in the U.S. Army. He would never 

be the same again in mind or body. Given the circumstances, 

I don’t think anyone would have returned home from the 

battlefields of Europe and the South Pacific and not have 

been changed forever. 

As he bravely fought in the mountains of Italy, he was 

wounded in action, but still he fought on. Then, he was 

wounded again, this time far more seriously. The odds were 

against him, but he somehow made it through those vital 

first days. He then began what would be a lengthy recovery. 

He had a long stay in the hospital and despite the efforts of 

those who attended him, he had lost the use of an arm. 

When he was released from the hospital, he returned 

home, and that special place of Russell, KS, again reached 

out to him with open arms and provided him with the support he needed to continue to recover from the wounds he 

had suffered on the battlefield. Once again, the bonds that 

tied him to the people of Russell and Kansas became stronger. Those bonds helped BOB DOLE to regain his strength and 

begin to plan for the future. 

Soon he heard the call to serve again. With the support of 

the people of his home town, he left to work for the people 

of Kansas in the State House and then in the U.S. Congress. 

His leadership skills were quite apparent and he compiled 

quite a record in the Senate. He progressed through the 

ranks and served his party as minority and then majority 

leader. Every day on the Senate floor, he took a leadership 

role on a wide variety of issues that he knew were important 

to the people of his home State. Through the years he 

worked to ensure that our American values be protected and 

preserved in all the proceedings of Congress. It was a remarkable record of service that continued until that day, 10 

years ago, when he resigned to pursue the call to carry the 

Republican banner for President. 

Although that final political campaign of his was not successful, BOB DOLE will always be remembered for a lifetime 

of service to the United States. He has received many honors 

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for his service to the United States, and for being a part of 

a noble cause that the Greatest Generation took up for which 

so many fought and died. He never forgot those with whom 

he served or the needs of our Nation’s veterans. In fact, it 

was those ties from so many years ago that led him to join 

the effort to construct a memorial for World War II to recognize those with whom he served—especially those who never 

returned. His leadership in that effort resulted in the dedication of a beautiful memorial that will stand forever in the 

shadows of the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument on the Mall in our Nation’s Capital. 

Today, BOB DOLE and his wife Elizabeth continue to be a 

great team as she serves the people of North Carolina with 

the same care and attention that BOB DOLE has always provided the people of Kansas. 

BOB DOLE has always said that his goal in life was to defend and serve the America he learned to love in Russell. I 

think the record shows that he succeeded in that effort and, 

in so doing, left his mark throughout much of the world as 

he fought in Europe to free the oppressed, and, in the Senate, for the principles and values he had learned to cherish 

as a young boy growing up in Russell, KS. 

MONDAY, June 19, 2006 

Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 

Senator BOB DOLE, a person who is often thought of as one 

of the most prominent political figures of our time. Perhaps 

former Secretary of State Colin Powell described Senator 

DOLE best when he said he is, ‘‘a plain-spoken man of 

strength, maturity and integrity.’’

This ‘‘plain-spoken’’ man from Oklahoma’s neighboring 

State of Kansas is legendary for his brave sacrifice to our 

great country in World War II. In the war, he was a platoon 

leader in the distinguished 10th Mountain Division in Italy. 

He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star after 

being seriously injured in battle, but his service and sacrifice 

did not end there. After a long, determined road to recovery, 

a renewed faith in God, and loving support from family and 

friends, he began his political career. 

After earning his law degree, Senator DOLE served in the 

Kansas Legislature from 1951 to 1953. He came to Washington to serve in the House of Representatives in 1961. He 

was then elected to the Senate in 1968. His leadership skills 

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gained swift recognition as he became chairman of the National Republican Committee in 1971 and Senate majority 

leader in 1984. 

After Republicans lost control of the Senate in 1986, Senator DOLE continued serving his party as Senate minority 

leader. In this capacity, he became known for his ‘‘watchdog’’ tactics fighting against Democrat tax-and-spend, biggovernment policies. Thanks to his help in exposing the unrestrained behavior of the Democrats, the American people 

voted to put Republicans back in control of both Houses of 

Congress in 1994. After this overwhelming victory, Senator 

DOLE was once again voted to the post of majority leader, 

making him the longest serving Senate leader in the history 

of the Republican Party. 

I was privileged to serve with BOB DOLE in this body from 

1994 to 1996 and work on different issues with him. I supported him in 1996 when he was fighting tax increases and 

other excessive governmental policies. 

After leaving the Senate to run for an unsuccessful Presidential bid in 1996, Senator DOLE continued his public service by becoming chairman of the National World War II Memorial to erect a memorial on the National Mall to honor the 

sacrifice of the brave men and women who served in the 

largest and deadliest war in history. He also served as cochair of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund to assist 

the educational needs of the families of victims of the September 11 attacks. 

Through media appearances, speeches, two best-selling 

books, ‘‘Great Presidential Wit, I Wish I Was In The Book’’

and ‘‘Great Political Wit, Laughing (Almost) All the Way to 

the White House,’’ and his personal World War II memoirs, 

‘‘One Soldier’s Story,’’ Senator DOLE continues to leave a legacy of the values and principles that have made this great 

country what it is today. 

BOB DOLE is a man of character and integrity, and I am 

proud to honor him with this deserving tribute today. 

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