[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S801-S802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATOR BOB DOLE'S REMARKS UPON RECEIVING THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF 
                                FREEDOM

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I come to the floor this afternoon to place 
in the Record the remarks of a great American statesman who I and many 
of us had the privilege to watch being recognized in the White House on 
January 17. I speak to Senator Bob Dole and his leadership in our 
Nation, his statesmanship, his patriotism, and especially the comments 
he made in receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom on January 17.
  I think we were all captivated in the evening news by the great humor 
of Bob Dole--after this very prestigious ceremony in the East Room of 
the White House with the President offering up one of these most 
coveted recognitions in our Nation for the leader, Bob Dole, former 
Presidential candidate--when he stepped forward and in humor began to 
recite his oath of office.
  That statement overshadowed the statement that was to follow, and 
that was the statement by Bob Dole as to his feelings and his emotions 
that are a part of the person that you, Mr. President, and I have grown 
to know and respect over the years as it relates to his Americanism, 
his leadership, and his patriotism.
  So it is with that in mind that I insert into the Record this 
afternoon the statement that Senator Dole made that afternoon, this 
January 17, at the White House as he received the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom. It was a beautiful statement. It was an emotional statement. 
And for all of us who were there, it was the statement of a man who we 
had grown to know and who we knew as a Senator from Kansas, who we knew 
as a Presidential candidate, but most importantly a man who we knew as 
a leader of the U.S. Senate, a great American, a great American 
statesman, and a great American patriot.
  With that in mind, I ask unanimous consent that the statement of Bob 
Dole as he received his Presidential Medal of Freedom award be printed 
in the Congressional Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

  Remarks of Senator Bob Dole on Receipt of the Presidential Medal of 
                       Freedom; January 17, 1997

       Mr. President, no one can claim to be equal to this honor. 
     But I will cherish it as long as I live, because this 
     occasion allows me to honor some others who are more 
     entitled. At every stage of my life, I have been a witness to 
     the greatness of this country.
       I have seen American soldiers bring hope and leave graves 
     in every corner of the world. I have seen this Nation 
     overcome Depression and segregation and Communism, turning 
     back mortal threats to human freedom. And I have stood in awe 
     of American courage and decency--virtues so rare in history, 
     and so common in this precious place.
       I can vividly remember the first time I walked into the 
     Capitol as a Member of Congress. It was an honor beyond the 
     dreams of a small town. I felt part of something great and 
     noble. Even playing a small role seemed like a high calling. 
     Because America was the hope of history.
       I have never questioned that faith in victory or in honest 
     defeat. And the day I left office, it was undiminished. I 
     know there are some who doubt these ideals. And I suspect 
     there are young men and women who have not been adequately 
     taught them. So let me leave a message to the future.
       I have found honor in the profession of politics. I have 
     found vitality in the American experiment. Our challenge is 
     not to question American ideals, or replace them, but to act 
     worthy of them.
       I have been in Government at moments when politics was 
     elevated by courage into history--when the Civil Rights Act 
     was

[[Page S802]]

     passed--when the Americans With Disabilities Act became law. 
     No one who took part in those honorable causes can doubt that 
     public service, at its best, is noble.
       The moral challenges of our time can seem less clear. But 
     they still demand conviction and courage and character. They 
     still require young men and women with faith in our process. 
     They still demand idealists, captured by the honor and 
     adventure of service. They still demand citizens who accept 
     responsibility and who defy cynicism, affirming the American 
     faith, and renewing her hope. They still demand the President 
     and Congress to find real unity in the public good.
       If we remember this, then America will always be the 
     country of tomorrow, where every day is a new beginning and 
     every life an instrument of God's justice.
       Mr. President, Elizabeth and Robin join me in wishing you 
     and Mrs. Clinton all the best as you embark on your second 
     term. May God bless you, and each inhabitant of this House, 
     and may God bless America.

  Mr. CRAIG. Thank you, very much, Mr. President, and I note the 
absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The 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.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, before I ask for some unanimous-consent 
agreements and do the close, I want to commend, also, the remarks of 
Senator Dole that were just printed in the Record by the distinguished 
Senator from Idaho. I attended the ceremony where Senator Dole received 
the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I must say, it was one of the most 
inspiring events I have ever attended.
  First of all, I think the President deserves credit for presenting 
this very deserving leader of our country the Medal of Freedom.
  Second, I think I have probably never been to an event where there 
was more of a combination of a feeling of good will, appreciation for 
our veterans, patriotism and humility and humor, all wrapped in one 
event. It was really an inspiration.
  Bob Dole's remarks, which are in the Record, are typical of Bob. He 
said almost nothing about the fact that he was receiving this honor, 
other than the fact that he would cherish it. He, instead, chose to 
talk about American soldiers and the service they gave and the American 
experiment, Government, history--magnificent remarks. Also, he had that 
special moment of history where I thought for a moment he was going to 
be sworn in to be President of the United States instead of being given 
the Medal of Freedom.
  It was a tremendous occasion. I am very proud that Bob Dole received 
this recognition, and I am delighted we put his statement in the Record 
for all Americans to read it.

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