[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 213 (Thursday, December 9, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H7623-H7628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1715
   REFLECTING ON AND HONORING THE ACTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 
                        HONORABLE ROBERT J. DOLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Estes) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for all Members to 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
any extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Kansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, tonight lying in state in the rotunda of 
this Capitol Building is Robert Joseph Dole. Bob Dole was an American 
statesman, a former Member of this House of Representatives, a former 
U.S. Senator, a World War II veteran, a tireless fighter for what is 
right, and, last but not least, a Kansan.
  Tonight, we want to reflect on and honor the actions and 
accomplishments of this great American hero. Today, I am here with my 
colleagues from the Sunflower State and other Members of the House of 
Representatives to honor Robert Joseph Dole, one of the finest 
Americans to ever serve in this institution.
  Bob Dole has a record of devotion and service to this country--a 
World War II hero, the majority leader of the Senate, and a Republican 
nominee for President. But to truly understand the man Bob was, Madam 
Speaker, you have to know a bit about where he was from because out of 
all the things Bob did and accomplished through his long life, I know 
that Bob always epitomized what it meant to be a son of Kansas.
  Our State is situated in the very heart of our great Nation, more 
than 1,000 miles west of Washington. It is imbibed with a strong sense 
of freedom and with great compassion for our fellow man. The vivid 
sunsets of amber waves of grain are a constant reminder of the beauty 
and grace that only come from a loving God. And our climate, which can 
include some of the harshest winters or cloudless summers, produces 
hardy people who are resolute, undeterred, and quick to adapt to any 
challenges they may face.
  It is from Kansas where Bob Dole first entered the world in the 
summer of 1923.
  A natural athlete, he was recruited by famed basketball coach Phog 
Allen and was a Jayhawk basketball player and football player, and he 
ran track at the University of Kansas. But the grave threats against 
our freedom and our Nation called Bob away from his studies at KU and 
placed him in battle overseas during World War II.
  His enlistment in the United States Army would take him far from the 
flat plains of Kansas to another continent, and he returned to the 
shores of America with two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and scars of 
war.
  Permanent damage would restrict him to a hospital for more than a 
year and limit the mobility in his right arm for the rest of his life. 
Bob Dole's service to our country during World War II is more than most 
of us will ever give back to the country in our entire lifetime.
  But Bob wasn't done yet. After returning to school, this time at 
Washburn University in Topeka, he served in the Kansas House of 
Representatives and then as Russell County attorney.
  In 1961, Bob Dole brought his grit, optimism, and wit to the Chamber 
we are standing in today, having been elected by Kansans of the Sixth 
District, and then again by the First District after redistricting. He 
represented Kansas in the people's House for 8 years before the entire 
Sunflower State sent him across the Capitol to the Senate. His passion 
for the United States, ability to bring colleagues together, and sense 
of humor elevated him to lead the Republican Party.
  But Dole would also seek to serve the American people from 1600 
Pennsylvania Avenue. He was the running mate to President Gerald Ford 
and eventually earned the respect of voters across the country to be 
the Republican nominee for President. It was at that time that he left 
the Senate, noting that the next chapter of his life would either be in 
the White House or a return to his beloved home State of Kansas. As 
votes were tallied on November 5, 1996, it became clear that Russell, 
Kansas, would welcome their son home.
  But I can tell you with certainty, Madam Speaker, that his commitment 
to the United States did not end with electoral defeat, as he continued 
to stay active in the causes he fought for as a public servant and 
remained a critical activist in Kansas politics.
  Madam Speaker, most of the Representatives in this Chamber are 
familiar with Bob Dole as a war hero, a statesman, and a Presidential 
nominee. But I had the privilege of traveling throughout Kansas with 
him. While the country has gotten to know Bob on the Senate floor or 
the campaign trail, I saw Bob in small towns and coffee shops with 
small business owners and farmers.
  My wife, Susan, and I were blessed to have known Bob and his wife, 
Elizabeth--another dedicated public servant--and to witness his genuine 
warmth and devotion firsthand.
  In his farewell address to the Senate on June 11, 1996, Senator Dole 
quoted the opening verse to Ecclesiastes chapter 3, saying: ``To 
everything there is a season.'' He went on to say that his season in 
the Senate was about to end. Today, we recognize that another season 
for Bob Dole has come to a close.
  The Scripture that Bob started to read from continues, saying, ``a 
time to be born and a time to die.'' And later, it says, ``a time to 
weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.''
  This week is a time for mourning. We grieve the loss of our friend, 
and we pray for his beloved wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Robin.

[[Page H7624]]

  This is also a time to honor, which is why my colleagues and I were 
humbled to introduce the resolution that formally allowed for Bob Dole 
to lie in state at the United States Capitol rotunda. During his nearly 
four decades of service in the House and Senate, I know Bob Dole walked 
through the rotunda with Kansans and colleagues, working to protect our 
liberties and make our country better for all Americans.

  It is fitting that he be honored in that space today. I can think of 
no other person right now who deserves to lie in state more than my 
friend and fellow Kansan, Senator Bob Dole, and I believe it will be a 
long time before we see someone of his stature again.
  In the meantime, it is up to the rest of us to carry on his legacy, 
advance freedom, and maybe even provide some humor to our Nation and 
our world.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann), who 
is my friend, colleague, and the current Representative of Senator 
Dole's hometown of Russell, Kansas.
  Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friend, Congressman 
Estes, for hosting this tonight and for really doing this to further 
the memory and legacy of Bob Dole.
  Bob Dole's passing leaves a void for America. I think maybe it hits 
those of us in Kansas especially hard, so I thank my friend for doing 
this.
  Madam Speaker, America has lost a statesman, a noble war hero, and a 
service-minded Kansan who never forgot where he came from.
  Senator Bob Dole died peacefully at the age of 98, leaving his 
district, State, and country better off for his many contributions over 
79 years of public life.
  My prayers and gratitude for Senator Dole go out to his family.
  In World War II, Bob Dole was struck in the back and nearly killed by 
a German shell just months before the war ended. He described his 
experience later in a 1987 speech as ``a sting in the shoulder,'' and 
he said the first thing he thought about was his home, Russell, Kansas.
  He was expected to die in the hospital, but he lived. He was told 
that he would never recover from his injuries, which included paralysis 
from the neck down, but his unquenchable spirit carried him through.
  He simply refused to take no for an answer and chose to fight for his 
life and recovery, the scars of which he carried with him for the rest 
of his life. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his 
military service.
  Before he became a United States Senator, Bob Dole was the 
Congressman representing the Big First District of Kansas. After 
serving in the House of Representatives for 8 years, Kansans sent him 
to the United States Senate where he served for 27 years, acted as the 
majority leader twice, and became his party's nominee for the highest 
office in the land in 1996. It is inspiring and humbling to stand on 
the shoulders of such greatness.
  A few weeks ago, I was blessed to spend some time with Senator Dole. 
His love for Kansas and her people were on full display in his excited 
curiosity about our plans for the Big First. On that day, he was a 
thoughtful, committed, and energetic champion for our Nation and our 
way of life in rural Kansas.
  He always treated others with respect and kindness, especially his 
fellow veterans, as he attended nearly every Honor Flight that came to 
D.C. to the World War II Memorial.
  He was a fierce advocate for his political views, but he was equally 
committed to cross-aisle friendship and camaraderie. In our meeting, he 
spoke about his idea of the Kansas approach, the markers of which he 
identified as honesty, hard work, respect for your roots, common sense, 
service, simplicity, and genuine, thoughtful care for people.
  I left our time together inspired and commissioned, as Senator Dole 
made it clear we must never forget where we come from. He knew deep 
down that the heartbeat of our Nation lies in places like his hometown 
of Russell, Kansas.
  I know we all are working actively for ways to honor Bob Dole's 
legacy. One way is by supporting the McGovern-Dole International Food 
for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which aims to address 
childhood hunger, improve literacy, train teachers, and make the world 
a better place for young people across the globe. The program is named 
in part after Senator Dole to honor his work toward eliminating 
childhood hunger. Earlier this year, I was proud to offer an 
appropriations request for the McGovern-Dole program, and I look 
forward to its continued success.
  Yesterday, in another effort to honor his legacy, I introduced a 
resolution to name the post office in Russell, Kansas, the Robert J. 
Dole Memorial Post Office. I was quickly joined by my other colleagues 
from Kansas.
  Senator Dole stayed true to his roots in rural Kansas and embodied 
its core values of faith, family, and freedom. Naming a post office 
after one of Kansas' favorite sons in the town that he grew up in is a 
small but meaningful way to pay tribute to this Kansas giant and 
American hero. I look forward to this resolution's swift passage 
commemorating the life of Senator Dole.
  A few nights ago, I talked to my 8-year-old son, Austin, about 
Senator Dole. After I finished sharing some stories about his life and 
work, Austin said: Dad, I think God had a special plan for Bob Dole.
  That is so true, and God had a special plan for all of us when he 
gave Senator Dole the faith, values, longevity, and leadership platform 
that he stewarded so well.
  Madam Speaker, I want to close by quoting Senator Dole, who often 
said: ``I offer a willingness to work hard, to hang tough, to go the 
distance. I offer the strength and determination--molded in America's 
small town heartland and tempered during a career of public service--to 
bring commonsense answers to the complex problems facing America.''
  Senator Dole's legacy will echo into the future, and his patriotic 
spirit serves as a benchmark for anyone who believes that our brightest 
days are yet to come.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Senator Dole for working tirelessly to make 
the world a better place. May he rest in peace.
  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, it is great and commendable that the 
current Representative for his hometown is here to be able to speak as 
a fellow Kansan and representative for Bob.

  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. LaTurner). 
The gentleman is one of my other fellow colleagues from the State of 
Kansas who represents the Second Congressional District and was a 
former State treasurer as I was before I came to Congress.
  Mr. LaTURNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor, remember, and 
celebrate the life of a true American hero who was the very 
personification of service.
  I am proud and humbled to stand in for the over 700,000 Kansans in my 
district who wish they could be in the Capitol today to pay tribute to 
Senator Bob Dole.
  Senator Dole grew up in a small town called Russell, Kansas, at a 
time when many hardworking families were being burdened by the Great 
Depression and the Dust Bowl. The Doles were not immune to these 
hardships, living in their basement so they could rent out the top of 
their house to make ends meet.
  Bob Dole attended the University of Kansas where he was a star 
athlete playing under the famous Phog Allen on the Jayhawks basketball 
team and began his service when he enlisted in the Army.
  Like many of the Greatest Generation, Bob Dole dropped everything at 
the age of 21 when he was called to Active Duty and shipped off to 
Italy to fight for freedom across the world.
  Toward the end of the war, Senator Dole was struck in the upper back 
and right arm by shrapnel from a German shell while fighting in the 
mountains of northern Italy and was paralyzed from the neck down. He 
was sent to the Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, 
where he met some fellow soldiers who would have an impact on the rest 
of his life.
  They ended up calling themselves the Percy Jones Alumni Caucus, which 
consisted of Senator Dole; the ward's ranking officer Colonel Philip 
Hart, who later became Senator Phil Hart; and a longtime friend of Bob 
Dole, Daniel Inouye, who represented Hawaii in the United States 
Senate.
  Many doctors, like Dr. Kelikian of Chicago, and medical professionals

[[Page H7625]]

thought Senator Dole wouldn't survive his injuries, and if he did, they 
thought he would never walk again. But he proved them wrong.
  The hospital was turned into a Federal building and renamed the Hart-
Dole-Inouye Federal Center in 2003. Senator Dole spent the rest of his 
life fighting for veterans and those who served our Nation and was 
instrumental in making the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., a 
reality.
  After being awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his 
selfless service in World War II, Senator Dole served in the Kansas 
statehouse and as county attorney before being elected to the House of 
Representatives where he served for 8 years. He then moved across the 
Capitol to represent all Kansans in the United States Senate for almost 
three decades, serving as Republican majority leader twice and then 
becoming the Republican nominee for President in 1996.
  Senator Dole was a giant in Congress. He fought to preserve freedom 
and democracy while also working across the aisle to champion 
legislation that has impacted millions of Americans from all walks of 
life.

                              {time}  1730

  Many Americans know and recognize his major legislative achievements 
such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the McGovern-Dole 
International Food for Education Program, but many do not realize the 
impact he had on passing legislation that his name was not on at all, 
and how good he was at getting things done and moving the ball down the 
field for Kansas and for our Nation. Bob Dole truly embodied what it 
means to be a statesman and never wavered from his passion for a better 
and stronger America.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in praying for his wife, Elizabeth, 
his daughter, Robin, and the entire Dole family as they mourn the loss 
of not just one of our Nation's greatest public servants, but also a 
devoted husband and father.
  I want to close on something that Senator Dole once said. He said: 
It's not who you were, it's whether you made a difference. May we all 
remember that every single day in this building and across this 
country.
  Senator Dole will be dearly missed.
  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Congressman LaTurner, 
for being here to be able to talk about our fellow Kansan and such a 
great American hero.
  At this time, Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House.
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his recognition, 
and I thank him for hosting us this evening with this Special Order to 
honor a real hero in our country, Bob Dole.
  I also thank the gentleman for what he did for the bereavement 
resolution, enabling us to have the use of the rotunda, which takes an 
act of Congress to use the rotunda, and to have the catafalque that was 
constructed for Abraham Lincoln to lie on so that Bob Dole could lie on 
that, a true hero for our country.
  I take great pride, Mr. Estes, in the fact that Senator Dole served 
in the House of Representatives as his first step in the Congress of 
the United States. I was teased by some of the Senators saying, you are 
laying claim to him. He was only there 4 years. He was in the Senate 
over 24 years. And yet we do because, again, his service here is a 
source of pride to us.
  But not only that, when he turned 90, we had his birthday party in 
Statuary Hall on the House side of the Capitol, and so many of his 
friends and colleagues that served with him and friends and staff who 
had served with him came, and I was happy to be invited by him to 
participate in the ceremony. It was his 90th birthday, fully pledging 
to be there to honor him for his 100th birthday. Well, we made it to 98 
and nearly a half.
  A great life, beautifully lived, one that is justified by his lying 
in state and, as I said today at our ceremony, wrapped in the American 
flag. It is hard to think of anyone who deserves that honor more than 
Bob Dole, super patriot.
  As a young, young person, he fought for our freedom in World War II. 
He has been a champion for our men and women in uniform ever since, 
along with Elizabeth Dole, Senator Dole also. Senator Elizabeth Dole 
took up the cause of hidden heroes, those who care for our men and 
women in uniform when they come home and need care.
  The beautiful love between the two of them is a joy to all who knew 
and love them--know and love them, still in the present. And they are 
prayerful, patriotic, lovely Americans.
  Indeed, it was just 4 years, almost 4 years ago and we gathered under 
the very dome where we were in the rotunda to present him with a 
Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor that Congress can bestow. 
We knew then, as we do today, that Bob Dole belongs among the pantheons 
of patriots memorialized in the rotunda.
  And I couldn't help but thinking, watching him lying in state there, 
he felt very comfortable under the dome of the Capitol, where he spent 
so much time, but time beautifully spent in leadership, making a 
difference. As his casket lies in this temple of democracy right now, 
draped in the American flag, we are so proud.
  From his heroism in World War II to his leadership in the House and 
the Senate, he served our Nation with legendary courage, dignity and 
integrity. Duty was a word that sort of guided his actions, his duty to 
our country and its military and the elective office and as an elder 
statesman in this country.
  He was greatly admired on both sides of the aisle, on both sides of 
the Capitol, and across the country because he was a person of 
integrity, a person of his word. He worked in a bipartisan way, whether 
it was addressing hunger in America, respect for people with 
disabilities, and advocates for troops, veterans and our hidden heroes 
and, of course, he took great pride in his work on Social Security.
  He continued his powerful legacy beyond his retirement from Congress, 
alongside, again, his loving wife and prayerful partner, Senator 
Elizabeth Dole. His life and legacy will forever challenge us to act 
worthy of him. As he said, we shouldn't try to change the ideals of our 
country. We should try to be worthy of them.
  May it be a comfort to his beloved wife, Elizabeth, his dear, dear 
daughter, Robin, his longtime colleagues and friends, and the people of 
Kansas that a grateful Nation joins them and prays for them at this sad 
time as we mourn with him.
  May he rest in a very much-deserved peace.
  Thank you, Senator Dole, for your leadership to our country, for 
being a leader, exemplary leader, one that everyone would want to be 
like. We are going to miss him, his humor. He was very funny and very 
serious and very patriotic.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Estes for bringing us together to say some 
more words about Senator Robert Dole. It is such an honor to have him 
lie in state under the rotunda, an honor shared by very few people, but 
one very much deserved by Senator Dole.
  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman saying those 
kind words about a son of Kansas and a fellow American hero that we 
appreciate so much.
  We have spent a lot of time tonight talking about all of the great 
things about Bob Dole and his relationship with Kansas, but he had a 
bigger impact on people across the country, including his relationship 
with his wife, Elizabeth, and all the relationships there.

  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Rouzer), a former policy adviser for Senator Elizabeth Dole.
  Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Senator Bob Dole, one of America's greatest. I have so many 
different memories from over the years, it is hard to know where to 
start or where to finish.
  Though I first came to Capitol Hill when Senator Dole was still in 
the U.S. Senate, my first extended interaction with him was when his 
wife, Elizabeth, was running for the U.S. Senate to succeed my current 
boss at the time, U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, who was retiring.
  There was one day I remember so well. I had taken time off from my 
work to help with Elizabeth's campaign. And of course, Bob Dole, no 
stranger to North Carolina, came to town several times to campaign for 
her.

[[Page H7626]]

  On this particular occasion, we had lined up a number of visits for 
Bob Dole that included a stop at a tobacco receiving station in 
Smithfield, and then on to several other stops in Goldsboro.
  As is the case with any campaign, there was little down time, which 
is just how Bob Dole liked it. He had a real knack for retail 
campaigning. He was never at a loss for words, always had a quip, and 
always left everyone laughing.
  As I recall, it was about 11:30 a.m. that day, and we had just 
finished up the stop at the tobacco receiving station where we had met 
with a number of tobacco farmers. Now we were on our way to Goldsboro. 
I wasn't that hungry, but I could tell the campaign staffer driving Bob 
Dole was ready to find some lunch somewhere.
  Well, Bob Dole was hungry too, but had a little bit different of an 
idea about it. So once we leave the tobacco receiving station, he 
directs the young man to stop at a local convenience store. Bob Dole 
goes in, talks it up with the lady running the cash register, buys a 
Krispy Kreme doughnut, and comes back out.
  Sensing this was the only lunch stop Bob Dole wanted to make, the 
young staffer turned to him and said: ``Senator, don't you want to stop 
and get a real lunch somewhere?''
  The Senator replied: ``Bob Dole doesn't eat lunch until after the 
election; as only Bob Dole can say it. And of course, he often talked 
in third person.
  I would see Bob Dole from time to time after that election, but I 
didn't get to really know him until I came to Washington as a new 
Member of this House of Representatives. He would call from time to 
time to talk about my campaign; to see if I had an opponent; to talk 
about what was going on in the House and the Senate; or just to talk 
life and politics in general. I will always cherish those 
conversations.
  A great Kansan from humble roots, Senator Bob Dole answered the call 
to serve his country, fighting for liberty for 79 years. It wasn't long 
ago that I got to visit the site where he was so badly injured in 
Italy.
  As I looked around the landscape of that, that spot where he was 
wounded, so far from home in a foreign land, here was this very young 
man and so many others like him facing evil head-on.
  Several years previous to that trip, I had gotten the opportunity to 
travel abroad to take a look at implementation of our country's food 
aid programs. I will never forget being in a very remote area of 
Ethiopia, looking at thousands of children who were eating porridge 
during lunch at school, and only because of the McGovern-Dole 
International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. It was 
the only real meal those children received during the day.
  Through his final years, months, and even until his final days, 
Senator Dole remained so involved and passionate for the principles 
that made this country great, while caring for our most vulnerable. The 
number of veterans and their families he greeted at the World War II 
Memorial during his final years would be far too many to count. And 
that is just a tiny glimpse of what he did to support, lift up, and 
encourage others.
  There is no way to properly measure his impact, not just in America, 
but around the world. He was the embodiment of the American spirit and 
what it means to be a true patriot and statesman. His lifetime of 
commitment, dedication, and perseverance for this country was and is 
unmatched. His legacy of service and statesmanship will only grow 
greater through the prism of history.
  Madam Speaker, there are those special individuals you get to know in 
life who help you keep it all in perspective. I will always be so 
appreciative of Bob Dole, the man, and what a giant of a man he was.
  May God's peace and grace embrace his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, 
Robin, as well as the rest of his family in the hours, days, and months 
to come.
  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, it is great to be able to have broader 
reflections of Bob Dole and all of the things and the people that he 
has touched. He served, obviously, a long time in the Senate, including 
as majority and minority leader, and with his wife, Elizabeth as well.
  Madam Speaker, I actually have a couple of quotes from our current 
Senators from Kansas, and I wanted to just mention those as part of 
this Special Order hour tonight.
  The senior Senator from Kansas, Jerry Moran, said: Whether it was on 
the battlefields, in the Halls of Congress, or in his everyday life, 
Senator Dole's passion and dedication to his fellow Kansans and to his 
country was a steady reminder that a single person can make a 
difference and change the world.
  He held an unmatched patriotism born out of wartime sacrifice that 
marked every day of his existence. Yet rather than ask for help, he 
offered it. Senator Dole used his horrific wartime experience to be a 
champion every day for those with disabilities and for veterans, and I 
thank him for his service to Kansas and to this country.

                              {time}  1745

  Senator Roger Marshall shared: ``As one the heroes from our Greatest 
Generation, you would be hard-pressed to find somebody with a bigger 
heart and more resilience than Senator Dole. He was an American hero, a 
statesman of the highest order, and one of the greatest legislators of 
all time. While he had incredible negotiating skills and was tough as 
nails, it was his huge heart and ability to work across the aisle that 
constantly led the way and delivered results for all Americans.''
  Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Meijer), a U.S. Army veteran and a friend of mine.
  Mr. MEIJER. Madam Speaker, this week, we bid farewell to Senator Bob 
Dole, a great leader with not only an incredible political mind, but 
more importantly, an unwavering dedication to public service. He was 
not only a dedicated war hero who exemplified the very best of what it 
means to be an American, but also someone who set an example for others 
with a commitment to pragmatism, bipartisanship, and governing in the 
best interest of the American people.
  After being wounded in combat, Bob Dole recuperated in my district, 
in west Michigan, at the former Battle Creek Sanitarium, pressed into 
wartime service as the Percy Jones Army Hospital. That facility no 
longer exists in that form, and I am proud to say today, it is the 
Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, a long-lasting testament to not only 
his wartime service but also his connection to west Michigan, where, as 
my colleague, Mr. LaTurner, mentioned, his survival was questioned and 
his recuperation was long and lengthy, but also where he built 
friendships and ties, especially with Mr. Inouye, that would go on to 
last for over a half century.
  During those nearly three decades that he spent in the United States 
Senate, Senator Dole was a voice for the veteran community. His career-
long efforts to help the men and women who served in uniform culminated 
in office with the Veterans' Benefit Improvement Act of 1996.
  He also did not forget, even after he left office, that he had 
attended college on the GI Bill in the post-World War II period. He 
helped a young upstart organization that I volunteered with called 
Student Veterans of America, and many others, who campaigned for and 
passed the post-9/11 GI Bill so that our generation of veterans could 
receive the same educational benefits that he had.
  He made tangible improvements to the lives of our veterans through 
focusing on substance. Throughout his career, he never lost sight of 
the job that he was sent here to do. His service is an example of how 
government can truly function and serve when we are committed to 
prioritizing results over politics.
  Tonight, my wife, Gabrielle, and I extend our heartfelt condolences 
to his wife, Senator Elizabeth Dole, and all of those who grieve 
Senator Dole's passing. His memory and legacy will live on in the 
contributions he made to our Republic.
  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Meijer bringing that up. 
As we talk about different stories about Bob Dole, his time in the 
hospital, when he spent 39 months going through and recovering from his 
injuries, obviously there are some in-depth stories of his time there 
as well as others.

[[Page H7627]]

  Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Carter.)
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding and for doing this tonight. This is very, very special.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of a political 
giant, an American icon, and a World War II hero, Senator Bob Dole.
  Senator Dole was a remarkable man and a driven public servant who I 
personally strive to emulate. Why wouldn't we? What a great example he 
set for all of us.
  I had the pleasure of spending some time with Senator Dole, who even 
in his old age would brave the cold D.C. winters to sit out front of 
the World War II Memorial and thank those there to pay tribute to 
fallen soldiers.
  I remember being over there. It was cold, and they would set up a 
stool for Senator Dole to sit on. He would sit there, draped in 
blankets, and he would not leave until every veteran came by and he 
spoke to them and he thanked them and he shook their hand. That had to 
be so special to them.
  There are not many people, let alone those as accomplished as Senator 
Dole, who can set aside their ego to thank perfect strangers, but he 
did just that.
  He left an unforgettable impression, not only on those that knew him 
or those he served, but on this entire country.
  Senator Dole was a generational leader and voice that was heard by 
all, even those across the aisle. His zest for life and making our 
country better was infectious. Not everyone can curry favor with those 
of a different political ideology, but Senator Dole was not like every 
other Member of Congress.
  When describing his time in the Senate, he quipped: If you are 
hanging around with nothing to do and the zoo is closed, come over to 
the Senate. You will get the same kind of feeling and you won't have to 
pay.
  Didn't we love his humor?
  I imagine he felt the same about his 8 years in the House of 
Representatives, and I can almost attest to that myself.
  Senator Dole set an example of conservatism and of bravery. There is 
no one more deserving of the honor of lying in state at the U.S. 
Capitol than Senator Bob Dole.
  An outstanding example of what a public servant should be, his loss 
devastates us all.
  My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Senator Elizabeth Dole, 
his daughter, Robin, his family and friends, as well as this country, 
as we all come together to mourn this tremendous loss.
  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, as a fellow Kansan, Bob Dole was able to 
reach out and have such an impact on so many people's lives across the 
country and, in some cases, across the world.
  I do want to make one comment about just one of the other people that 
Bob Dole actually touched in his life. There are countless Kansans that 
worked for Bob Dole and people from Kansas that were involved in the 
work that he did in the House and the Senate during his time there. It 
is amazing the number of people around D.C. or back in Kansas or 
elsewhere in the country.
  One particular staff member, David Spears, served for 3 years in 
Senator Dole's D.C. office as an agriculture legislative assistant and 
4 years as state director in Kansas. He wrote me saying: ``It was an 
honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve on Senator Dole's staff and 
to serve the constituents of Kansas. I learned many leadership lessons 
from him that carried over into my additional years of public service 
as well as my career in the private sector. Senator Dole provided great 
examples of strong leadership that included listening to all sides and 
an ability to build a consensus on very difficult and divisive issues. 
He was a statesman and great American. He made a huge difference in my 
life and will be missed.''
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney).
  Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Estes for holding this Special 
Order. We really appreciate his remembrances and so many Members 
remembering Senator Robert Dole as his body lies in state at our 
Nation's Capitol. This is an honor we reserve for only the most 
deserving Americans who have rendered such great service to our 
country. Senator Dole has rightfully earned this honor.
  Bob Dole's life displayed courage of the highest order. As a young 
man, he fought in World War II and was wounded in northern Italy. He 
carried his wounds for the rest of his life with grace, dignity, and 
great compassion. Bob Dole became a champion for veterans and those 
living with disabilities.
  The shadow of Senator Dole's political career looms large. His 
tremendous influence on American political life over the last half 
century does not need to be restated. For now, I will say this: That 
from Presidential campaigns to the Senate floor, Bob Dole was an 
unyielding opponent, a steadfast ally, a fearless leader, and also a 
person with a tremendous sense of humor.
  Even in that generation we call the Greatest Generation, Bob Dole 
stood above the rest. He was a paragon of courage, class, and 
patriotism. As a stalwart conservative, he was able to work with both 
Democrats and Republicans to enact positive legislation that improved 
life for all Americans.
  Senator Dole's compass was never swayed by popular opinion or 
political expedience. He stayed the course and kept his focus on the 
eternal principles our Founders set forth, principles of liberty, 
integrity, and dignity. His unwavering commitment to these principles 
propelled him to great heights on the national and world stages, but 
this humble Kansan never allowed himself to grow haughty or self-
absorbed. If anything, his historic career only made him even more 
modest.
  This week, we lost Senator Dole at the age of 98. His body lies in 
the Capitol rotunda, and it is fitting for us to honor him in this way. 
His death is a reminder that each of us in this body must do what we 
can to carry on his work of protecting and defending the United States 
with integrity, compassion, courage, and honor.
  Bob Dole was a patriot, a public servant, and a gentleman, and this 
Nation will always be grateful for the incredible life he led.
  World War II veterans are also special in my heart, particularly in 
my community where I had the privilege of being involved with bringing 
veterans to the World War II Memorial in many trips that we had in the 
2000s when President Bush was in office.
  We took them to the World War II Memorial, where I know that Bob Dole 
greeted them. We also took them on a nice dinner cruise on the Potomac, 
which they enjoyed, and also visits to the White House. Like all of 
these wonderful World War II veterans, they were much like Senator 
Dole, really, truly of the Greatest Generation.
  I just want to say to Senator Dole: We salute you. May God rest your 
soul. May God bless your family and this great Nation.
  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Tenney, and I appreciate that 
tribute to our great Senator from Kansas.
  Bob Dole touched so many people's lives around the country and around 
the world. I do want to just mention some of those folks that we have 
some comments from. So I will refer to some of those.
  Kansas is an agriculture State. Senator Dole served as the ranking 
member on the Senate Agriculture Committee from 1975 to 1978. The 
Kansas Association of Wheat Growers president, Justin Knopf, said, in 
part: ``Wheat farmers across Kansas are pausing to reflect and honor 
the life and legacy of Senator Bob Dole, a lifetime friend to Kansas 
wheat growers. Wheat fields planted to the variety bearing his name 
will carry extra significance this season as I and other farmers tend 
to them along their journey in producing grain to feed and nourish 
people. Senator Dole was an endless champion for farmers and also for 
those who were food insecure, and saw the potential in connecting grain 
from Kansas wheat fields to those here at home and around the world who 
were in need.''
  Another thing, as we talk about Senator Dole, obviously we talk a lot 
about his involvement during World War II. As a World War II veteran, 
Bob Dole spent a great deal of time working to thank and assist the men 
and women who sacrificed for our country.
  Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Charles Brown 
released a statement saying, in part: ``PVA joins the Nation in 
mourning the

[[Page H7628]]

passing of Senator Bob Dole and extends our heartfelt prayers to 
Senator Elizabeth Dole and the entire Dole family. Prior to becoming 
one of America's longest-serving U.S. Senators, Dole served in the U.S. 
Army and later became a decorated World War II veteran and two-time 
Purple Heart recipient. A champion of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act, he devoted his entire life to advancing the cause of people with 
disabilities as well as advocating for servicemen and women who 
sacrificed their lives for this Nation. Following his tenure in 
Congress, Dole worked tirelessly on seeking U.S. ratification of the 
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.''

  The effects of war left Senator Dole with lasting challenges in his 
life, something that strengthened his resolve to help Americans with 
disabilities.
  Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People 
with Disabilities, said in a statement: ``The world as we know it today 
is more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities because 
of Senator Bob Dole. Senator Dole worked to elevate the voices and 
perspective of people with disabilities, encouraging greater leadership 
opportunities for disabled people, and sharing his experience of 
disability with his colleagues to build bipartisan consensus for 
disability policy issues. His passing represents an enormous loss for 
AAPD, the disability community at large, and the Nation.''
  Senator Dole, through all of his work and his life activities, has 
earned the respect of countless leaders, including our former 
Presidents from both sides of the aisle.
  Former President Donald Trump released a statement saying: ``Bob Dole 
was an American war hero and true patriot for our Nation. He served the 
great State of Kansas with honor, and the Republican Party was made 
stronger by his service. Our Nation mourns his passing, and our prayers 
are with Elizabeth and his wonderful family.''
  Former President Barack Obama said in part: ``His sharp wit was 
matched only by his integrity, and he lived his life in a way that made 
it clear just how proud he was to be an American and how committed he 
was to making this country everything he knew it could be.''

                              {time}  1800

  Many of us recall the moving moment when former President George H. 
W. Bush was lying in State and Senator Dole stood and saluted his 
friend. It was a moment that reminded us of patriotism, camaraderie, 
and devotion.
  His son and former President George W. Bush said: ``Laura and I are 
saddened by the passing of a great patriot, Senator Bob Dole. This good 
man represented the finest of American values. He defended them in 
uniform during World War II. He advanced them in the United States 
Senate, and he lived them out as a father, husband, and friend. Our 
entire family benefited from that friendship, including my father. I 
will always remember Bob's salute to my late dad at the Capitol, and 
now we Bushes salute Bob and give thanks for his life of principled 
service. Laura and I send our heartfelt condolences to Elizabeth and 
join our fellow citizens in prayer for her comfort.''
  Former President Bill Clinton, his political rival, who would later 
honor the late Senator with a Presidential Medal of Freedom said: ``Bob 
Dole dedicated his entire life to serving the American people, from his 
heroism in World War II to the 35 years he spent in Congress. After all 
he gave in the war, he didn't have to give more. But he did. His 
example should inspire people today and for generations to come.''
  Tonight, I and a lot of the speakers here have talked a lot about the 
life of Bob Dole, and we have talked about different things regarding 
his life in Russell, Kansas, the small town that he was born in and 
grew up in, and his early outlook as a football, basketball, and track 
star before the war cut that plan short for him.
  We talked a lot about his war service, talked a lot about how he was 
injured in the line of duty trying to rescue somebody else and suffered 
consequences of war, and the time it took for him to recover in the 
field, the hospitalization.
  His small town of Russell, Kansas, started a crowdfunding process to 
help him with his recovery, and there was actually a cigar box where 
friends and family members made donations to help with the 39 months 
that it took for Bob to go through his hospitalizations and his 
recovery.
  We have talked tonight about his years of service in the House and 
the Senate. We have talked some about his involvement with the World 
War II Memorial and how he was a big driving force on making sure that 
that memorial got implemented and was available for us as a country to 
see and recognize the work that the Greatest Generation did in keeping 
and providing the freedoms for us.
  We have talked some about the Honor Flights and the effort that Bob 
took. Even when the weather wasn't good, even when he may not have been 
feeling well himself, he would come out and greet all these World War 
II veterans and veterans from other wars who were coming to the 
memorial that he had helped implement.
  My father, before he passed away, was one of those veterans who was 
able to come and attend an Honor Flight and participate in that 
process. It meant so much to watch those veterans as they come through 
that process. They are actually like little kids again when they get 
off the bus and tour through the monuments. In some cases, they relive 
some past life, but in other cases, they just reconnect with their 
brothers in arms.
  We have talked some about Kansas, and we talked about the friends and 
family of Bob Dole. One of his favorite sayings was: ``Remember where 
you are from.'' That is important for us, particularly as Kansans, to 
remember where we are from and what we should do and what we should 
stand up for and be responsible for.
  I had the honor as State treasurer to participate in a lot of the 
stops through the counties that Bob Dole participated in, and it was a 
time for him to reconnect with old friends. It was amazing to see the 
respect and admiration that came from his fellow Kansans as they sat 
down and talked with their friend Bob.
  The funny thing about that, or the inspiring thing maybe is a better 
word for me to use, was just to watch his interaction with fellow 
Kansans, people who he may not have seen for years or in some cases 
decades, but he could talk about the same issues with them. He could 
talk about their family members, be able to connect with the stories 
that they had and be able to ask questions about: Now, do you still 
have that big rock on the hill that was in the way when you were trying 
to work through with the cropland?
  It was an interesting life to be able to watch and watch him lead.
  He has had an impact on not just Kansas but Americans and 
internationally. The influence on people who he has been able to touch 
throughout his life will never be known by all of us, but his 
engagement, his ability to win friends, his ability to help lead and 
solve problems will be forever admired.
  There is maybe a small army, if you want to call it that, of people 
who have worked with Senator Dole throughout his life and were engaged 
with him either as an intern or a staffer in his office or connected 
with one of his campaigns or connected with one of his causes that he 
got engaged in. It is important that all of us recognize the value that 
he has created for the world today.
  Last but not least, let's not forget his humor and wit. I mean, we 
talk about all the commentary, and several of the stories that were 
told tonight talked about the way he approached life and the comments 
that he made that were just reflective of what type of man he was.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say, may God bless Bob Dole and 
care for his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Robin. Kansans, Americans, 
and people throughout the world will miss him, but we are better off 
for having known him and for his years of service that he provided to 
us.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________