[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATOR ROBERT DOLE'S COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT THE CITADEL
Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, 152 years ago, The Citadel, the Military
College of South Carolina, was established in the port city of
Charleston. A single gender school of demanding discipline, it has
successfully educated thousands of young men in academics and
leadership skills. Citadel graduates have become successful leaders in
both the public and private sectors, as well as having been involved in
every American military conflict since the Mexican War. Thanks to its
effective teaching techniques, The Citadel has earned an enviable
reputation as one of the best public colleges in the United States, and
there is not a better military school anywhere in this Nation than The
Citadel.
This past Saturday, my good friend and colleague, Senator Robert
Dole, addressed the 1994 graduating class of cadets. Appropriately,
Senator Dole chose as the subject of his speech the challenges of
leadership that face our great Nation and the young men who were
receiving their diplomas. He reflected upon the words of a great South
Carolinian, James F. Byrnes, who said that ``* * * the difference
between average people and great people can be explained in three
words--`and then some.' '' Senator Dole challenged his individuals to
seek and accept responsibility, to be good leaders ``and then some.''
Mr. President, Senator Dole's remarks were enthusiastically received
and he made a magnificent impression on everyone who attended
Saturday's ceremonies. I know that I speak for every Member of this
body when I say that we are proud of Senator Dole; he is a brave
soldier, a true patriot, a great American, and a true leader.
I ask unanimous consent that a copy of Senator Dole's remarks be
inserted in the Record following my remarks.
There being no objection, the remarks were ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
American Leadership * * * and Then Some
(By Senator Bob Dole)
Thank you, General Watts. It's a privilege to join the
class of 1994, their parents, friends, and all members of the
Citadel family.
This is my first visit to this historic institution,
although I have long heard about its excellence from a number
of sources.
As you know, my colleague, Fritz Hollings, is a proud
graduate of The Citadel, and asked me to extend his greetings
today.
But, it was the invitation of South Carolina's senior
Senator--one of the most respected members of the Senate--
Strom Thurmond--that brought me here today. Strom is a
Clemson graduate, but he did tell me that he was Governor
when the South Carolina legislature established The Citadel
on December 20, 1842.
I've learned a great deal from Strom over the years, but
one thing he never told me was that Citadel cadets are so
knowledgeable about agriculture. I've been to hundreds and
hundreds of farms in Kansas, and not one farmer has ever told
me that his cows ``walk and talk, and are full of chalk.''
general mark clark
Another connection we share is the fact that like countless
Citadel men, I, too, looked up to Mark Clark.
As you know, before he became president of The Citadel,
General Clark commanded the United States Fifth Army
throughout the World War II European campaign. As a young
man, I was a member of the 10th Mountain Division of the
fifth army. While I never met General Clark, every soldier
knew that the man Winston Churchill called ``the American
Eagle'' was firmly in charge.
``and then some''
After the war was over, another South Carolinian--James
Byrnes--would help to rebuild Europe as President Truman's
Secretary of State. And I begin my brief remarks today by
quoting this former South Carolina Governor and Senator.
Byrnes said, ``the difference between average people and
great people can be explained in three words--``and then
some.'' The top people did what was expected--and then some .
. . They met their obligations and responsibilities fairly
and squarely--and then some. They were good friends--and then
some. They could be counted on in an emergency--and then
some.''
the difference between average nations and great nations
I believe the words ``and then some'' could also be used to
describe the difference between average nations and great
nations. The top nations do what is expected--and then some.
They meet their obligations and responsibilities, fairly and
squarely--and then some. They are good friends--and then
some. They can be counted on in an emergency--and then some.
Perhaps the supreme example of this type of leadership
occurred nearly 50 years ago on the beaches of Normandy--D-
Day. And along with Senator Thurmond--who is a D-Day
veteran--I will be part of a Congressional delegation
traveling to Europe next month for ceremonies honoring the
50th anniversary of D-Day.
a half century of american leadership
D-Day marked more than the beginning of the end of World
War II. It also marked the beginning of what has been--
under Republican and Democrat presidents alike--a half-
century of American leadership.
It was American leadership that rebuilt Europe after World
War II.
It was American leadership that stood for freedom in places
like Korea and Vietnam.
It was American leadership that stood guard in Europe and
around the world throughout the long Cold War.
It was American leadership that has kept alive any hope for
a lasting peace in the Mideast.
It was American leadership that kept Saddam Hussein from
controlling the world's oil supply.
It was American leadership that has always prodded nations
towards the path of freedom for all their citizens.
And throughout its history, Citadel graduates have been
part and parcel of the great tradition of American
leadership.
the sacrifice of citadel graduates
In fact, fifty years ago, those who sat where you do now
knew that they soon might be on their way to Europe or the
Pacific--and 277 Citadel men made the ultimate sacrifice for
their country.
Over forty years ago, those who sat where you do now knew
that they soon might be on their way to Korea--and 31 Citadel
men died there for their country.
Twenty years ago, those who sat where you do now knew that
they soon might be on their way to Vietnam--and 66 Citadel
men have their names inscribed on the walls of the Vietnam
Memorial in Washington, D.C., just as they do on the walls to
the entrance of Summerall Chapel here at the Citadel.
the costs of leadership
Today, thankfully, there are no wars on the horizon. This
is so only because of the willingness of your predecessors to
put their lives on the line for freedom . . . only because of
a half-century of American leadership.
Has this leadership been expensive? You bet it has--both in
terms of lives lost and money spent in battle and in standing
guard during the long Cold War.
But has this leadership been worth the cost? Absolutely.
The world is a safer, freer, and better place because of
American leadership.
those who question america's world leadership
Today, however, there is talk around meeting tables in
Washington, D.C., and kitchen tables across America, that
fifty years of leadership is enough.
There are those who think that America must focus on fixing
her own problems.
There are those who say that American soldiers should take
orders from commanders appointed by the United Nations.
There are those who see America not as the leader of the
free world, but just as another member of NATO, with no more
or no less responsibility than any other country.
There are those who believe that ``and then some'' is far,
far, too much.
preserving america's global leadership
That same talk and those same voices could also be heard in
the days following our victory in World War II. But America's
leaders remembered then that they had listened to those
voices just twenty years before--in the aftermath of World
War I. And they remembered that America checked out of world
affairs, retreated into isolationism, and slashed our
defense--actions that would be proven foolhardy when a
dictator marched across Europe and bombs fell at Pearl
Harbor.
America's leaders remembered. And Presidents from Truman to
Bush made the tough decisions, and they made sure that
America remained the leader of the free world.
Let me share with you some words of the greatest foreign
policy President of our time--Richard Nixon.
Just last January, President Nixon said, and I quote--
``Some are tired of leadership,'' ``they say (America)
carried that burden long enough. But if we do not provide
leadership, who will? The Germans? The Japanese? The
Russians? The Chinese? Only the United States has the
potential . . . to lead in the era beyond peace. It is a
great challenge for a great people.''
President Nixon was right.
american leadership still needed
The United States may be at peace, but events in North
Korea, Bosnia, and elsewhere remind us that dictators still
exist, that aggressors who are not stopped will only grow
more brazen and more blood-thirsty, and that leadership--
American leadership--is still required. And sometimes, that
leadership will mean that Americans will make the supreme
sacrifice, as Patrick McKenna, a member of the Citadel class
of 1989, did on April 14, during Operation ``Provide
Comfort'' in Iraq.
Is it America's destiny to be the world's policeman? No.
There are crimes against humanity and crimes against freedom
committed every day in countless countries across the world.
And America does not go in, guns blazing, to make it right.
leading by example
Instead, we do what we have always done--and what we did
during the long Cold War--we lead by example. We show the
world that democracy is not just one method of Government--it
is the only method that allows individuals to reach their
full potential. And we also lead by using our economic and
moral influence to bring about change, as we did in South
Africa.
And if we are to lead by example . . . if we are to
maintain our credibility as an economic and moral influence,
then we must deal with our problems--like the deficit and
like crime. And we must remember and teach the values that
made America great--values like decency, honesty, and
individual responsibility.
Military Strength and Diplomatic Resolve
But let me be clear: leading by example will not always
suffice. For military strength and diplomatic resolve is
essential to successful leadership. Without them, our
example--no matter how meritorious--will be rejected or
ignored.
There will be times when America's interests are at stake.
. . . When freedom is threatened . . . when, like it or not,
we are the only ``cop on the beat.'' And unless we are
prepared to stand by while our interests are threatened or
destroyed, we must be prepared to lead--in combination with
friends and allies if possible, but alone if necessary.
It is hard to imagine the world you would enter today had
the attitude that some now advocate prevailed the past half-
century. Imagine that D-Day never happened, and that Hitler's
armies conquered Europe. Imagine that Khrushchev and not
Nixon was the winner of the ``Kitchen Debate,'' and America's
children lived under communism, rather than Russia's children
living under democracy. Imagine Saddam Hussein in control of
the majority of the world's oil supply.
the future and american leadership
Class of 1994, I don't know what the future holds for you--
but I do know that the world cannot afford a future without
American leadership.
It is my hope that fifty years from now, some members of
this class will travel to Europe to attend the centennial
celebration of D-Day.
And I hope you will be able to say then, what we have been
able to say for the past fifty years. We are Americans. We
are the leaders of the free world. And we will remain so for
many years into the future . . . and then some.
____________________