Bob Dole, a Kansas — and American — icon, turned 94 in July, and the Kansas congressional delegation hopes to present him with a unique honor: The Congressional Gold Medal.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts and U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate and House to award the former senator the medal “in recognition of his services to the nation as a soldier, legislator and statesman.” The legislation was cosponsored by the entire delegation, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Reps. Roger Marshall, Kevin Yoder and Ron Estes.

“I can think of few people more deserving for a Congressional Gold Medal than Bob Dole. Bob is not only one of the country’s finest statesmen and Kansas’ favorite son, but he is also a friend, mentor and brother to me,” Roberts said. “He has served our country in countless ways, spending his whole life serving Kansas and the nation. From his days in Russell, Kan., his service in World War II, and his dedication to spending his life as a public servant, Bob Dole embodies the American spirit.”

Jenkins paid tribute to Dole as a WWII veteran, public servant and prolific role model. “Sen. Dole is certainly deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal. Sen. Dole has spent his entire life serving Kansans and this great country. Additionally, after retiring from public office, he continued his important work to help our veterans get the care they deserve, curb child hunger and poverty, and several other initiatives. Sen. Dole is not only an American hero and true statesman, but he is a dear friend and someone I consider to be the ultimate embodiment of a true Kansan. I look forward to getting this bill through Congress and to the president’s desk,” Jenkins said.

“I am honored to call Sen. Dole a friend and mentor,” Moran said. “Americans know of the sacrifices he made on their behalf during WWII, and every Kansan knows that he’s been there for them every day since. Sen. Dole has dedicated his entire life to public service, and it’s hard to imagine anyone more deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal. Through his dedication to issues from veterans, to child education, to food aid across the world, he reminds us all that one person is capable of making meaningful changes to people’s lives with long-lasting effect.”

Marshall said Dole embodies what it means to be a public servant, a leader and a Kansan.

“I am proud to call him a friend, and I am humbled to bear the awesome responsibility of serving in the congressional seat he once held. For as long as I can remember, Bob Dole has been a role model. Today, he is a mentor and continues as a shining example of international leadership,” Marshall said. “Beyond honoring a deserving patriot, I hope this award reminds my colleagues of leaders like Sen. Dole, who never forgets the human impact of each decision, who truly works to serve the greater good, and who always remembers where he calls home, Russell, Kan."

Yoder said service, sacrifice and statesmanship are the words that come to mind when he thinks of Bob Dole.

“He’s a larger-than-life figure in American politics, but he’s one of the kindest, funniest and most humble men I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I can think of no one more deserving of the recognition of Congress and the utmost respect of the American people than Bob Dole,” Yoder said,

“Throughout his lifelong service to our nation, Bob Dole has always shown tremendous humility and leadership,” Estes said. “Sen. Dole embodies what it means to be a Kansan, and his legacy will loom large for generations to come. Sen. Bob Dole is truly an American hero."

This legislation, the Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Act, if passed by the House and Senate, would award Sen. Dole with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. It is the most distinguished honor and the highest civilian honor given by the Congress.

A bipartisan group of Sen. Dole’s former colleagues who remain in the Senate signed on to the legislation as original cosponsors. They include: Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz.; Thad Cochran, R-Miss.; Dick Shelby, R-Ala.; Patty Murray, Wash.; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Orrin Hatch, Utah; Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.; Ron Wyden, Ore.; Jim Inhofe, R-Okla.; and Diane Feinstein, D-Calif.

Dole turned 94 on July 22.

Source: Office of Sen. Pat Roberts