[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 83 (Friday, June 7, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO SENATOR BOB DOLE

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, the political world was stunned a few 
weeks ago when our colleague, Majority Leader Bob Dole, announced his 
resignation from the U.S. Senate after 36 years of representing his 
native State of Kansas. In his emotional and moving farewell speech, he 
said he wanted to campaign for the Presidency ``with nothing to fall 
back on but the judgment of the people and nowhere to go but the White 
House or home.''
  Senator Dole was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 
1960. He came to the Senate in 1968, where he served as the Republican 
leader for a record 11 years. He ran for Vice President with President 
Gerald Ford in 1976 and ran for the Republican Presidential nomination 
in 1980 and 1988. He has been a fixture of our National Government for 
36 years. Regardless of what we might think of his decision to give up 
his life's work for an attempt at the White House, we all agree that 
Bob Dole has been an outstanding Senator and leader. He is a master 
legislator.
  Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute has called 
Senator Dole one of the five most significant Senators of the last half 
of the 20th century. That sentiment has been echoed by the Brookings 
Institute's Stephen Hess, who labeled him ``somebody who could get 
things done.'' And in Washington, especially in the unwieldy Senate, 
this is no small compliment.
  I have had the pleasure of serving with Bob Dole for nearly 18 years 
and know him to be an excellent legislator with an amazing ability to 
reach solutions to difficult and controversial issues. He is an honest 
and forthright man of integrity. Had he and the President been able to 
negotiate in good faith last fall and winter during the heated budget 
debate, I have no doubt they could have reached a solution which would 
have been good for our country and our future. Unfortunately, the House 
leadership would not agree to such an effort.
  Despite his legislative prowess, his major strengths lie in the force 
of his personality and his style. His power comes from his knowledge, 
from hard work, from his humor and from his strong friendships on both 
sides of the aisle, and from his rare moral authority. He does his own 
work and does not delegate much.
  He comes from a humble background, the son of a cream and egg station 
operator in Russell, KS. After serving in the Army during World War II, 
where he suffered grave and lasting wounds, he spent 8 years as a 
county attorney dealing with people from all stations in life. He dealt 
with bankers and country club members, but also with garage mechanics 
and feed store clerks. He has exhibited a comprehensive understanding 
of America as a leader for the interests of the average and 
disadvantaged Americans.
  As Senator Bob Dole--a true giant in the history of the Senate--
leaves this body, he holds so dear, to pursue the Nation's highest 
office, I join my colleagues in saluting him.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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