[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.

                          ____________________