[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5048-S5049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE RESIGNATION OF BOB DOLE

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, the news by our esteemed majority leader 
that he will be resigning both his leadership post and his Senate seat 
is, indeed, bittersweet. I am sure I speak for all of my colleagues 
when I say that the Senate will miss Bob Dole--his intelligence, his 
courage, his love for his country, and his unparalleled leadership 
skills. In Europe, 50 years ago, as a young lieutenant, Bob Dole was 
willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country in war. And 
today for the sake of his country and the Congress, Bob Dole is willing 
to leave the job he loves because he loves his country and Congress so 
much. This is a bold move by a man whose life has been the ultimate 
story of courage. America needs his courage, his moral compass, his 
leadership in the White House, and this move will enable him to focus 
much more on the road to the White House.
  Because of Bob Dole's leadership, the 104th Congress will be 
remembered as the Congress which finally said enough is enough. No more 
excuses. No more Washington gimmicks. Balance the budget. With Bob 
Dole's leadership we have forever altered the debate. The question is 
no longer whether to balance the budget, but how; not whether to cut 
taxes, but how; not whether to reduce the size of the Federal 
bureaucracy, but how; not whether to reform welfare, but how; and not 
whether to return power to the States, but instead how.
  Under Bob Dole's leadership, the Congress for the first time in four 
decades passed legislation to balance the Federal budget. Bob Dole's 
legacy of leadership in the Senate will only be surpassed by what he 
will do for America from the White House. I am proud to be a Member of 
the Dole team, and I will be even prouder to assist a Dole 
administration next year in carrying out Bob Dole's agenda for America: 
lower, fairer, simpler taxes, less Government and a balanced budget.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska is recognized.
  Mr. EXON. Mr. President, my few remarks about my friend Bob Dole and 
his announcement today will be devoid of any political motivations 
whatsoever.
  Bob Dole has been a friend of mine ever since I came into the Senate. 
We have differed frequently on many issues, but we have been together 
on many issues. The announcement today that we heard about this morning 
came as a considerable shock to this Senator because whatever the 
future holds, the Senate in my view has lost a tremendously dedicated 
individual, a talented leader on the Republican side of the aisle, a 
man I never hesitated a moment in going to on any subject. He

[[Page S5049]]

has always been fair to this Senator. We have clashed from time to time 
on issues. But fairness and confidence and being a very capable Senator 
and a Senate leader has been the hallmark of Bob Dole.
  I simply say that we will miss him very much in the U.S. Senate, and 
I would have preferred that he not take the additional step that he 
announced today with regard to resigning from the Senate. I recognize 
that in running for President of the United States, it was most 
difficult to be here, to be a leader. However, I thought the 
announcement that I read in the papers this morning with regard to 
Senator Dole, recognizing that he could not do justice to his 
Presidential race and be a full-time leader of the Senate and the 
suggestion that he turn this over to other Members of the Republican 
majority, seemed to make sense to me. But, for whatever reason, Bob 
Dole has made the decision that I think he had to make. I only thank 
him for the friendship.
  I will value the few remaining weeks, week or two or three, that I 
will have the privilege of serving together with him in the U.S. 
Senate.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
  The Senator from New Mexico.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I do not want Senator Grassley to think 
we are procrastinating and trying to put his amendment off. He is going 
to have to be absent for just a few minutes.
  Mr. President, I will use just a few minutes here as in morning 
business. I ask my remarks be as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________