Robert J. Dole
Bob Dole has been called a "towering figure" and "the most enduring Republican leader of the twentieth century" but he still calls Russell Kasnas his home. He was born Robert Joseph Dole on July 22, 1923 in Russell Kansas to Doran and Bina (Talbott) Dole. He grrew up with two sisters, Gloria and Norma Jean and a brother Kenny, in a small frame house north of the railroad track. The same house that the whole family was raised in and the same house his parents lived out their final days.
To support their family Doran operated the Dole Produce, just south of the railroad tracks, and his wife sold sewing machines door-to-door. As a young school child, Bob worked after school weighing cream in 10 and 20 gallon cans. He counted and stacked egg crates that farmers brought to town on Saturday. He learned to visit and listen to the people. He had to remember names because most of the cans and egg cartons had no identifying marks on them. To this day he does well with remembering names.
During the 1930's the family pulled together to make ends meet. They moved to the basement and rented the main floor of their home. The early 1920's frame home was remodeled in 1945-46. Bob still has family in Russell and when he and Elizabeth come to Russell they stay in the house, therefore, it is not open to the public, but visitors are invited to drive by and take advantage of a great photo opportunity.
When he is home you will find him enjoying a cold root beer (his favorite) at the local A & W Restaurant, visiting the rest home and just hanging out with friends and family. Neighbors and friends recall Bob Dole growing up as as "an all american boy". He was an athlete, played end on the Russell football team, ran the 800 in track, and played basketball. Along with his participation in sports, he found time to work nights and Saturdays at Dawson Drug Store where he learned the art of meeting the public, one on one. Growing up in the small town of Russell instilled respect for honesty, community service and patriotism.
In 1942, at the age of 19, Bob Dole answered the call to serve his country by joining the Army to fight in the World War II. He became a second lietenant in the Army's 10th Mountain Division, and in the spring of 1945, found himself in the hills of Italy fighting the Nazi Germans. After the battle medics gave him a shot of morphine and marked his forehead with an "M" written in his own blood. He wasn't expected to survive. During his nearly four years of recovery, it was clear that he would never realize his boyhood dream of becoming a doctor, so he set a new goal - to study law and look for ways to give back to the people who had done so much for him during his four year recovery. He earned his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka Kansas in 1952.
He ran for state legislature and served one term. He was elected and served four terms as Russell County Attorney and served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1968, Bob ran for the United States Senate and won. He served as a Kansas Sentator until 1996. In 1971 Senator Dole rocketed to national prominence as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, and in 1976 President Gerald Ford announced on the Russell County Courthouse lawn that Bob would be his Vice Presidential running mate.
He was elected Senate Majority Leader several terms and was one of the longesr serving Republican leaders.
On June 11, 1996, he resigned from the US Senate to devote all of his time and energy to his campaign for President of the United States. Also, campaigning for President was Pennsylvannia Senator Arlen Specter. It was the first time in American history that two men, graduating from the same high school would run for the nations highest leadership post. Bob offered a vision for America's future that called for reining in the federal government, reconnecting government, reconnecting government with traditional values of the American people, and restoring American prestige and supremacy abroad. He lost the election to incumbent Bill Clinton. On January 17, 1997 Senator Bob Dole was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of our Government.
Today, Senator Dole is Senior Advisor to the Washington DC law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand. He served as the National Chairman of the World War II Memorial Monument constructed and dedicated in Washington DC. He serves as the National Chairman of the International Commission on Missing Persons in former Yugoslavia.
MEDAL OF FREEDOM CITATION TO BOB DOLE!
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 Americ's farmers, for preserving Social Security and promoting fiscal responsiblity, and for strengthening our global leadership for freedom, peace and prosperity. A man of the heartland, he bought common sense, uncommon skill and a prairie with 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 tribute to the strengths and values that have made America great!
July 22, 1923 - Robert Joseph Dole born in Russell Kansas
Oct. 29, 1929 - Stock Market Crashed
May 1941 - Graduated from Russell High School
Sept. 1941 - Enrolled at Kansas University (KU)
Dec. 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor Bombed, U.S. entered World War II
Dec. 1942 - Enlists in US Army
1944 - Attended Officers School
April 14, 1945 - Injured at Po Valley in Italy
Aug. 6, 1945 - Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima Japan
Sept. 2, 1945 - World War II ends
1948 - Discharged from the U.S. Army
June 1948 - Married Phyllis Holden
Sept. 1948 - Enrolled at the University of Arizona
Sept. 1949 - Enrolls at Washburn Municipal University
1950 - 1953 Korean War
Nov. 1950 - Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives
(First public election)
May 1952 - Receives Law Degree from Washburn Municipal University
Nov. 1952 - Elected Russell County Attorney
Oct. 18, 1954 - Daughter Robin was born
1953 - 1960 Russell County Attorney
Nov. 1960 - Elected to the U.S. Congress in House of Representatives
1964 - 1973 Vietnam War
Nov. 1968 - Elected U.S. Senator from Kansas
July 1969 - Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
1971 Republic National Chairman
1972 - Divorces wife Phyllis
1974 - Re-elected U.S. Senator from Kansas
Dec. 1975 - Married Elizabeth Hanford
Aug. 1976 - Became President Ford's Vice President running mate
1979 - 1980 - Mounts unsuccessful campaign for 1980 Rep.Presidential nominee
Nov. 1980 - Re-elected Senate Majority Leader
Nov. 1986 - Re-elected U.S. Senator from Kansas
1987 - 1988 Mounts successful campaign for 1988 Rep. Presidential nominee
1988 - Elected Minority Leader
1989 - Berlin Wall Opened, Cold War Ended
Nov. 1992 - Re-elected U.S. Senator from Kansas
June 1996 - Republican Presidentail Candidate
Aug. 1996 - Republican Presidentail Candidate
Nov. 1996 - Lost the Presidential Election to President Bill Clinton
1997 - Re-entered private law practice
July 22, 2003 - Dedication of the Bob Dole Institute of Politics, KU Campus, Lawrence Kansas.
