[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.