The legislation says the award would be awarded in “recognition for his service to the nation as a soldier, legislator and statesman.” The legislation was co-sponsored by the other Kansas congressmen: Senator Jerry Moran, and Representatives Roger Marshall, Kevin Yoder,and Ron Estes, as well as a bipartisan group of Senators, which includes former Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
The official text of the legislation notes that Dole was seriously wounded in Italy while serving in World War II, where he received two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star with an Oak Cluster, as well as two campaign medals and a World War II Victory Medal.
Dole served Kansas in the U.S. House from 1961-69 and the Senate from 1969 until his unsuccessful presidential bid in 1996. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton in 1997.
His time in Congress was noted for being a key component in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and for being the longest-serving Republican leader in the Senate, a post he held for ten years.
This legislation is official known as the Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Act. If passed by the House and Senate, it would award Dole with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress.
Dole is a native of Russell, Kansas and a graduate from the University of Kansas who celebrated his 94th birthday on Saturday.
