    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 116-11
    116th Congress

    An Act

    To authorize the honorary appointment of Robert J. Dole to the grade of
    colonel in the regular Army. <>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled,
    SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
    (1) Robert J. Dole, also known as Bob Dole, was born July
    22, 1923, in Russell, Kansas.
    (2) As a student at the University of Kansas, Bob Dole
    enrolled in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps in 1942. He was
    called to active duty the following year and served during World
    War II. While deployed to Italy as an infantry lieutenant in the
    10th Mountain Division, he was seriously wounded in combat and
    was twice cited for acts of heroism under fire. He finished his
    military service with two Purple Hearts and two awards of the
    Bronze Star Medal with ``V'' device for valor. He was also
    awarded the American Campaign medal, the European-African-Middle
    Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory medal. He
    resigned his Army commission at the grade of captain.
    (3) Bob Dole served in the House of Representatives from
    1961 to 1969. He served in the Senate from 1969 until 1996. His
    service was previously recognized by both the Legislative Branch
    of the United States Government, through the Congressional Gold
    Medal, and the Executive Branch of the United States Government,
    through the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
    (4) Separate from the actions underlying the honors
    previously bestowed upon him, Bob Dole also made direct
    contributions to the Department of Defense and the veterans of
    United States military service, including through the following:
    (A) Bob Dole sponsored or co-sponsored bills in
    Congress to improve veterans benefits, to improve
    accountability of missing members of the Armed Forces,
    to establish the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health
    Registry, to recognize women veterans, and to provide
    relief from certain inequities for National Guard
    technician service in connection with civil service
    retirement.
    (B) Bob Dole served as the National Chairman of the
    WWII Memorial Campaign, co-chair of the Families of
    Freedom Scholarship Fund, and co-chair of the
    Presidential Commission on the Care of America's
    Returning Wounded Warriors.

    [[Page 844]]

    (5) In 2018, an Army advisory panel reviewed the
    comprehensive record of Bob Dole's service to the Armed Forces,
    veterans, and the national security of the United States. The
    panel, recognizing Bob Dole's unique contributions to the
    Department of Defense and veterans, recommended the honorary
    promotion of Bob Dole to the grade of colonel in the Army.
    (6) Acting under provisions of section 1563 of title 10,
    United States Code, the Secretary of the Army endorsed the
    recommendation of the advisory panel for an honorary promotion
    of Bob Dole and forwarded it to Congress for further action.
    SEC. 2. HONORARY APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT J. DOLE TO THE GRADE OF
    COLONEL IN THE REGULAR ARMY.

    (a) Honorary Appointment.--The honorary appointment of Robert J.
    Dole, of Kansas, to the grade of colonel in the regular Army is hereby
    authorized.
    (b) Additional Benefits Not To Accrue.--The honorary appointment of
    Robert J. Dole to the grade of colonel in the regular Army under
    subsection (a) shall not affect pay or other benefits from the United
    States to which Robert J. Dole is otherwise entitled based upon his
    military service or affect any benefits to which any other person may
    become entitled based on his military service.

    Approved April 6, 2019.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 252:
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    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):
    Mar. 4, considered and passed Senate.
    Mar. 26, considered and passed House.