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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Senator Bob Dole
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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Senator Bob Dole
Clinton Honors Dole With Medal Of Freedom
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Jan. 17) -- In a ceremony both touching and funny, President Bill Clinton today honored his rival of last year, former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Dole's service in World War II and Congress. (320K AIFF or WAV sound) (1MB QuickTime movie)
Clinton, who put aside the acrimony of last year's presidential campaign, praised Dole for his service in the war, when he was gravely injured, and for his later legislative work.
"His recuperation was long and uncertain, yet Senator Dole turned adversity to advantage and pain to public service," Clinton said. As a senator, Clinton noted, Dole worked on issues affecting farmers and disabled people and helped with Social Security reform.
Dole was clearly touched by the award, but nevertheless he began his remarks with a joke.
"I, Robert J. Dole, do solemnly swear..." he said, as laughter erupted in the room. (320K AIFF or WAV sound)
"Sorry, wrong speech," Dole said. "But I had a dream that I would be here this week, receiving something from the president, but I thought it would be the front door key."
Turning serious, Dole said no one can claim to be equal to the nation's highest civilian award, "but I will cherish it as long as I live." (96K AIFF or WAV sound)
Dole praised American ideals of hope and public service, saying, "At every stage of my life, I've been a witness to the greatness of this country." Dole said he has seen the United States overcome economic depression, segregation and communism, "turning back mortal threats to human freedom."
When he came to Congress, Dole said, he felt "part of something great and noble" and said he has seen politics elevated by courage into history, with landmark legislation on civil rights and equal access for disabled people.
"No one who took part in those honorable causes can doubt that public service, at its best, is noble," Dole said.
SENATOR BOB DOLE'S REMARKS UPON RECEIVING THE
PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
(Senate - January 29, 1997)
Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I come to the floor this afternoon to place in the Record the remarks of a great American statesman who I and many of us had the privilege to watch being recognized in the White House on January 17. I speak to Senator Bob Dole and his leadership in our Nation, his statesmanship, his patriotism, and especially the comments he made in receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom on January 17.
I think we were all captivated in the evening news by the great humor of Bob Dole--after this very prestigious ceremony in the East Room of the White House with the President offering up one of these most coveted recognitions in our Nation for the leader, Bob Dole, former Presidential candidate--when he stepped forward and in humor began to recite his oath of office.
That statement overshadowed the statement that was to follow, and that was the statement by Bob Dole as to his feelings and his emotions that are a part of the person that you, Mr. President, and I have grown to know and respect over the years as it relates to his Americanism, his leadership, and his patriotism.
So it is with that in mind that I insert into the Record this afternoon the statement that Senator Dole made that afternoon, this January 17, at the White House as he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It was a beautiful statement. It was an emotional statement. And for all of us who were there, it was the statement of a man who we had grown to know and who we knew as a Senator from Kansas, who we knew as a Presidential candidate, but most importantly a man who we knew as a leader of the U.S. Senate, a great American, a great American statesman, and a great American patriot.
With that in mind, I ask unanimous consent that the statement of Bob Dole as he received his Presidential Medal of Freedom award be printed in the Congressional Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
Remarks of Senator Bob Dole on Receipt of the
Presidential Medal of Freedom; January 17, 1997
Mr. President, no one can claim to be equal to this honor. But I will cherish it as long as I live, because this occasion allows me to honor some others who are more entitled. At every stage of my life, I have been a witness to the greatness of this country.
I have seen American soldiers bring hope and leave graves in every corner of the world. I have seen this Nation overcome Depression and segregation and Communism, turning back mortal threats to human freedom. And I have stood in awe of American courage and decency--virtues so rare in history, and so common in this precious place.
I can vividly remember the first time I walked into the Capitol as a Member of Congress. It was an honor beyond the dreams of a small town. I felt part of something great and noble. Even playing a small role seemed like a high calling. Because America was the hope of history.
I have never questioned that faith in victory or in honest defeat. And the day I left office, it was undiminished. I know there are some who doubt these ideals. And I suspect there are young men and women who have not been adequately taught them. So let me leave a message to the future.
I have found honor in the profession of politics. I have found vitality in the American experiment. Our challenge is not to question American ideals, or replace them, but to act worthy of them.
I have been in Government at moments when politics was elevated by courage into history--when the Civil Rights Act was passed--when the Americans With Disabilities Act became law. No one who took part in those honorable causes can doubt that public service, at its best, is noble.
The moral challenges of our time can seem less clear. But they still demand conviction and courage and character. They still require young men and women with faith in our process. They still demand idealists, captured by the honor and adventure of service. They still demand citizens who accept responsibility and who defy cynicism, affirming the American faith, and renewing her hope. They still demand the President and Congress to find real unity in the public good.
If we remember this, then America will always be the country of tomorrow, where every day is a new beginning and every life an instrument of God's justice.
Mr. President, Elizabeth and Robin join me in wishing you and Mrs. Clinton all the best as you embark on your second term. May God bless you, and each inhabitant of this House, and may God bless America.
Mr. CRAIG. Thank you, very much, Mr. President, and I note the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, before I ask for some unanimous-consent agreements and do the close, I want to commend, also, the remarks of Senator Dole that were just printed in the Record by the distinguished Senator from Idaho. I attended the ceremony where Senator Dole received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I must say, it was one of the most inspiring events I have ever attended.
First of all, I think the President deserves credit for presenting this very deserving leader of our country the Medal of Freedom.
Second, I think I have probably never been to an event where there was more of a combination of a feeling of good will, appreciation for our veterans, patriotism and humility and humor, all wrapped in one event. It was really an inspiration.
Bob Dole's remarks, which are in the Record, are typical of Bob. He said almost nothing about the fact that he was receiving this honor, other than the fact that he would cherish it. He, instead, chose to talk about American soldiers and the service they gave and the American experiment, Government, history--magnificent remarks. Also, he had that special moment of history where I thought for a moment he was going to be sworn in to be President of the United States instead of being given the Medal of Freedom.
It was a tremendous occasion. I am very proud that Bob Dole received this recognition, and I am delighted we put his statement in the Record for all Americans to read it.
Presidential Medal of Freedom Citation:
Shortly after the 1996 election, President Clinton presented the Medal of Freedom Citation to Senator Bob Dole.
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The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in Government. The President awards it to those individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interest of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
The text of the citation is as follows:
"From foreign battlefields to the halls of Congress, Bob Dole has served his country with courage, dedication, and grace.
Overcoming his own adversity, he rose to become a champion for the disabled and America's farmers, for preserving Social Security and promoting fiscal responsibility, and for strengthening our global leadership for freedom, peace, and prosperity.
A man of the heartland, he brought common sense, uncommon skill, and a prairie wit to the United States Senate, where he was the longest serving Republican leader in history.
Soldier, statesman, and patriot, Bob Dole has created a record of achievement that will stand forever as a tribute to the strengths and values that have made America great."
President Clinton today awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to Bob Dole. In his speech after the award, Senator Dole said "our challenge is not to question American ideals or to replace them, but to act worthy of them." At the same ceremony today at the White House, Mr. Clinton unveiled the winning design for the World War Two Memorial to be constructed on the National Mall in Washington. (4:00)
President Clinton presented his former opponent with the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the nation's highest civilian award. Dole, upon accepting the award, said, "I, Robert J. Dole . . . do solemnly swear . . . " As the assembled crowd burst into laughter, Dole deadpanned, "Sorry, wrong speech."
A Proud Bob Dole wearing the Presidential Medal of Freedom January 17, 1997
Additional Senator Bob Dole Medal of Freedom photos
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Medal History
