[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11694]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO SENATOR BOB DOLE

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Senator Bob 
Dole, a person who is often thought of as one of the most prominent 
political figures of our time. Perhaps former Secretary of State Colin 
Powell described Senator Dole best when he said he is, ``A plain-spoken 
man of strength, maturity and integrity.''
  This ``plain-spoken'' man from Oklahoma's neighboring State of Kansas 
is legendary for his brave sacrifice to our great country in World War 
II. In the war, he was a platoon leader in the distinguished Tenth 
Mountain Division in Italy. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a 
Bronze Star after being seriously injured in battle, but his service 
and sacrifice did not end there. After a long, determined road to 
recovery, a renewed faith in God, and loving support from family and 
friends, he began his political career.
  After earning his law degree, Senator Dole served in the Kansas 
Legislature from 1951 to 1953. He came to Washington to serve in the 
House of Representatives in 1960. He was then elected to the Senate in 
1968. His leadership skills gained swift recognition as he became 
chairman of the National Republican Committee in 1971 and Senate 
majority leader in 1984.
  After Republicans lost control of the Senate in 1986, Senator Dole 
continued serving his party as Senate minority leader. In this 
capacity, he became known for his ``watch-dog'' tactics fighting 
against Democrat tax-and-spend, big-government policies. Thanks to his 
help in exposing the unrestrained behavior of the Democrats, the 
American people voted to put Republicans back in control of both Houses 
of Congress in 1994. After this overwhelming victory, Senator Dole was 
once again voted to the post of majority leader, making him the longest 
serving Senate leader in the history of the Republican Party.
  I was privileged to serve with Bob Dole in this body from 1994 to 
1996 and work on different issues with him. I supported him in 1996 
when he was fighting tax increases and other excessive governmental 
policies.
  After leaving the Senate to run for an unsuccessful Presidential bid 
in 1996, Senator Dole continued his public service by becoming chairman 
of the National World War II Memorial to erect a memorial on The 
National Mall to honor the sacrifice of the brave men and woman who 
served in the largest and deadliest war in history. He also served as 
cochair of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund to assist the 
educational needs of the families of victims of the September 11 
attacks.
  Through media appearances, speeches, two best-selling books, ``Great 
Presidential Wit, I Wish I Was In The Book'' and ``Great Political Wit, 
Laughing (Almost) All the Way to the White House,'' and his personal 
World War II memoirs, ``One Soldier's Story,'' Senator Dole continues 
to leave a legacy of the values and principles that have made this 
great country what it is today.
  Bob Dole is a man of character and integrity, and I am proud to honor 
him with this deserving tribute today.

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