Present and former presidents, senators and fellow veterans remembered Dole, who died at 98.
WASHINGTON — U.S. dignitaries and navy veterans are mourning former Senate Majority Chief Bob Dole, a World Warfare II veteran and former Republican presidential candidate who served in Congress for 36 years. Dole, who had stage 4 lung most cancers, died Sunday at age 98, in accordance with his spouse, Elizabeth.
Present and former presidents:
- “Bob was an American statesman like few in our historical past. A conflict hero and among the many best of the Best Era. And to me, he was additionally a good friend whom I may look to for trusted steerage, or a humorous line at simply the fitting second to settle frayed nerves. I’ll miss my good friend. However I’m grateful for the occasions we shared, and for the friendship Jill and I and our household have constructed with Liddy and your entire Dole household. … He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor. Could God bless him, and should our nation draw upon his legacy of decency, dignity, good humor, and patriotism all the time.” — President Joe Biden, who served with Dole within the Senate.
- “Laura and I are saddened by the passing of a terrific patriot, Senator Bob Dole. This good man represented the best of American values. He defended them in uniform throughout World Warfare II. He superior them in america Senate. And he lived them out as a father, husband, and good friend. Our total household benefitted from that friendship, together with my father. I’ll at all times keep in mind Bob’s salute to my late dad on the Capitol, and now we Bushes salute Bob and provides thanks for his lifetime of principled service.” — Former President George W. Bush, talking of Dole’s tribute to former President George H.W. Bush.
- “Bob Dole was an American conflict hero and true patriot for our Nation. He served the Nice State of Kansas with honor and the Republican Celebration was made stronger by his service. Our Nation mourns his passing, and our prayers are with Elizabeth and his great household.” — Former President Donald Trump.
- “Senator Bob Dole was a conflict hero, a political chief, and a statesman — with a profession and demeanor harkening again to a day when members of the Best Era abided by a sure code, placing nation over celebration. Our ideas are with Elizabeth and the Dole household.” — Former President Barack Obama.
- “Bob Dole devoted his total life to serving the American individuals, from his heroism in World Warfare II to the 35 years he spent in Congress. In any case he gave within the conflict, he didn’t have to offer extra. However he did. His instance ought to encourage individuals right now and for generations to come back.” — Former President Invoice Clinton.
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Different lawmakers and leaders:
- “No matter their politics, anybody who noticed Bob Dole in motion needed to admire his character and his profound patriotism. These of us who had been fortunate to know Bob effectively ourselves admired him much more. A vivid gentle of patriotic good cheer burned all the way in which from Bob’s teenage fight heroics via his entire profession in Washington via the years since. It nonetheless shone brightly, undimmed, to his final days. Bob Dole lived the type of full, wealthy, and deeply honorable American life that will probably be unimaginable for any tribute right now to completely seize.” — Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
- “America has misplaced an iconic statesman and tireless veterans advocate. Bob Dole distinguished himself in fight lengthy earlier than turning into one of the vital revered voices in Congress. His management and dedication led to the development and dedication of the Nationwide World Warfare II Memorial. America is a greater nation on account of this nice patriot’s service. The American Legion was proud to current Sen. Dole with our group’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal in 1997. Our condolences to his spouse, Elizabeth, his household and plenty of buddies.” — American Legion Nationwide Commander Paul E. Dillard.
- “Bob Dole was a large of the Senate. I keep in mind the massive variety of Republican and Democratic Senators gathering on the Flooring to reward him when he stepped down from the Senate. Touring with him, working with him and writing laws with him are amongst my fondest recollections of the Senate.” — Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the longest-serving sitting senator.
- “Senator Bob Dole will probably be remembered as a real American hero and an exemplary statesman — a person who selected what was proper over what was handy. Whether or not it was on the battlefield, within the halls of Congress, or in his on a regular basis life, Senator Dole’s ardour and dedication to his fellow Kansan and to his nation was a gradual reminder {that a} single particular person could make a distinction and alter the world. … On the ground of america Senate, I take advantage of Senator Dole’s desk, and I’m often reminded of his tireless dedication to Kansas values whereas being, in the beginning, a statesman who handled others with respect and kindness.” — Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.
- “Over the past a number of years, I used to be lucky to get to spend a number of Saturdays a yr with Senator Dole. He made it his mission to greet fellow World Warfare II veterans in Washington, D.C., after they came over the World Warfare II Memorial, a memorial that Senator Dole helped make a actuality. When Rhode Island veterans would come to Washington on Honor Flights, certainly one of their true highlights was seeing Senator Dole. He was there to confer respect and honor upon others, and it was actually a privilege to be there at his aspect and see veterans and caregivers alike gentle up and join with him. Senator Dole was each a terrific listener and storyteller and he at all times made positive our veterans knew: That is their memorial. It belongs to them.” — Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., chairman of the Senate Armed Companies Committee.
- “After I was at recovering at Walter Reed, Bob Dole was a affected person too. He was 81 years outdated then, and he had his personal personal room, however he at all times did his rehab with the remainder of us — cracking jokes and sharing tales about his Military days. I’ll at all times keep in mind how that proud Veteran from an earlier era took the time — throughout among the most tough moments of my life — to work together with us youthful Troopers, serving to us recuperate from each our bodily and psychological wounds. … He was a real statesman and mannequin of the Best Era who by no means didn’t reply the decision to serve.” — Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Unwell., who misplaced each her legs whereas serving in Iraq.
- “Senator Dole was many issues — a conflict hero, a father, a husband, a public servant; and to Kansans, a person who embodied all the things good and respectable about Kansas and about America. … He was a larger-than-life presence in our nation’s politics and demonstrated a decency, a humility, and a civility that ought to function a mannequin for these of us in public life.” — Gov. Laura Kelly, D-Kan.
- “As a public servant, personal citizen, and true patriot, Senator Bob Dole confirmed complete dedication to the American experiment and its deepest beliefs, answering liberty’s name at each flip. A fight hero, champion for these with disabilities, congressional chief from Kansas, and presidential candidate, Dole served this nation for 79 years. He lived a lifetime of heroism and humor, braveness and consequence, management and legacy that each American ought to attempt for.” — Home Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
- “His report because the second-longest serving Republican Chief within the historical past of the Senate demonstrates the respect he earned from his aspect of the aisle. But it surely was his willingness – certainly, his dedication – to achieve throughout the aisle that produced such landmark achievements as saving Social Safety, strengthening America’s starvation and diet packages, and reforming the tax code to raised reward arduous work and funding. Senator Dole’s bipartisan spirit is an important a part of his enduring legacy of management.” — Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
- “Bob Dole was a soldier, a legislator, & a statesman. He at all times stood for what was simply & proper. I used to be honored to award him the Congressional Gold Medal & I’ll at all times be pleased about his service to our nation.” — Former Home Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
