[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E873-E874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ROBERT J. DOLE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL

                                 ______
                                 

                               SPEECH OF

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2002

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, ``Bob Dole personifies Kansas. He is 
synonymous with the values that Kansans hold in the highest regard--
integrity, respect for community, public service, sacrifice, and 
patriotism. It is only fitting to name the Wichita VA Center after a 
man so closely identified with Kansas, American veterans, and the 
values they share. I

[[Page E874]]

rise in support of H.R 4608 and urge my colleagues to join me in voting 
for the ``Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and 
Regional Office Center Designation Act.''
  Most Americans know Senator Dole's heroic story: He was born and 
raised in the Heartland of Russell, Kansas. In 1942, he faithfully 
responded to his country's call to war, and was critically injured in 
combat. It took three years and nine operations for him to 
rehabilitate. He strengthened his injured arm, but had to learn how to 
write again with his left hand, as the doctors could not rebuild the 
excessive damage done by the Nazi machine gun fire. After the war and 
while still completing his law degree at Washburn Municipal University, 
he began his long and distinguished career in public service. He served 
as a Kansas state legislator, Russell County attorney, four-time member 
of the US House of Representatives, a five-time US Senator, the 
Republican National Committee Chairman, the 1976 Vice-Presidential 
nominee, and culminated his career as the 1996 Republican Presidential 
nominee.
  But Bob Dole's political achievements provide only a partial measure 
of the man. Twice elected Majority Leader, Senator Dole served for 
twelve years, the longest serving Senate leader of the Republican 
Party. He epitomized President Reagan's immortal words, ``The title of 
Leader is not just a job title; it's a description of the man.'' Even 
after he ended his public service, he remains a community leader, 
engaged in projects such as National World War II Memorial, Co-chairing 
a scholarship fund to aid families of heroes and victims of the 9/11 
terrorist attacks, and campaigns for Republican candidates across the 
country.
  I have had the distinct honor of working with and getting to know Bob 
Dole. In fact, he was one of my best supporters in my first race for 
Congress against an 18-year incumbent. Not many people other than my 
family and friends thought we had a chance to win that race--but 
Senator Dole did. Or at least he did a good job of pretending. I 
wouldn't have had enough money for television ads in the crucial last 
week of our successful 1994 campaign were it not for then soon to be 
Majority leader Bob Dole. When I did get to Congress in 1995, Senator 
Dole was a mentor and an outstanding example of how a member of 
Congress should fight for his state while working in the best interests 
of the country.
  It is due to Bob Dole's extraordinary contributions as a leader, a 
veteran, public servant, and staunch defender of national defense that 
the designation of the Wichita VA Center as the Robert J. Dole 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Center is so 
appropriate. Please join me in a congressional salute to this great 
American patriot.''

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