[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6110-S6111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO SENATOR BOB DOLE

  Mr. CRAIG. Madam President, I will not keep us long in the closing 
hours of the U.S. Senate in what will certainly be recognized and 
reported as a historic day.
  Madam President, this evening I want to add to my earlier remarks two 
thoughts that I think are appropriate as many of our colleagues have 
come to the floor today to express their sadness, their reminiscent 
thoughts, and in some instances our joy that Bob Dole is now free to 
lead our party, my party, the Republican Party, in his quest for the 
Presidency.

[[Page S6111]]

  Over the last 2 years I have had the privilege of developing a unique 
relationship with leader Bob Dole. I chair the steering committee here 
in the Senate, better known as the conservatives, or a group of 
conservatives, and there have been many occasions when I have been 
instructed by that group to go sit down with our leader and express our 
concern over a given issue.
  It has been over the course of that time that I have gotten to know 
Bob Dole for the person that so many have spoken to today: a man whose 
leadership, and his concern about our country and this institution, the 
Senate, was always foremost. He did so in style and dignity. Bob Dole 
is one of those people who could tell you no with as much sincerity as 
he could tell you yes; that he would take your issue and carry it 
forward, or that he did not believe what you were discussing with him 
was appropriate at the time and that sometime in the future it might 
fit. That was the kind of person who I have grown to know and respect 
in my first term here in the U.S. Senate.
  Another issue that Bob Dole has been more than fair to this Senator 
on is the issue of my leadership on the balanced budget amendment. I 
had started that effort in the House in the 1980's, but it was some 
years after Bob Dole had already presented the idea here in the U.S. 
Senate. I, along with the Presiding Officer at this moment, had felt 
the importance of this issue and had worked hard to make it a national 
issue.
  When I arrived here in the Senate in 1990 as the citizens of Idaho 
chose me as one of their U.S. Senators, Bob Dole was very quick to say, 
``Larry, that is your issue, and we want you to lead.'' As our 
committee meetings went forward, or as there were press conferences, or 
as there were other gatherings in behalf of a balanced budget 
amendment, Bob Dole attended them religiously. But with his seniority 
and with his prestige, he was always willing to step back and say to 
people like myself, or Orrin Hatch, or others, or Paul Simon, ``This is 
your issue. You lead with it. You carry it.''
  When we convened the historic 104th session, as Bob Dole become the 
majority leader of the U.S. Senate, he was very quick to say to me and 
others, ``This is an issue that will be one of our lead issues this 
year, and I want you, Larry Craig, or Orrin Hatch, or Paul Simon, to 
lead me.''
  What I am saying is that in all of the opportunities that Bob Dole 
had to be in the forefront, there were many occasions when he was very 
willing to step back and let others lead, and I think that is the sign 
of a leader. I think that is the expression of the confidence that he 
had in himself, but at the same time the willingness to share that with 
all of us as he saw the importance of broadening our base and carrying 
these issues forward.
  I, along with every Senator in this body, will miss Bob Dole as our 
majority leader.
  But I say that I am excited about the future. And I am excited about 
the opportunity someday, as I believe I will have that opportunity, to 
say to Bob Dole, ``Mr. President, it is my pleasure to serve you.''
  With those thoughts, I yield back my time with the understanding that 
the Senate will stand in adjournment.

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