Bob Dole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Dole
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Official portrait, 1980s
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| Senate Majority Leader | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – June 11, 1996 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Deputy | Trent Lott |
| Preceded by | George Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Trent Lott |
| In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1987 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Deputy | Alan Simpson |
| Preceded by | Howard Baker |
| Succeeded by | Robert Byrd |
| Senate Minority Leader | |
| In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Deputy | Alan Simpson |
| Preceded by | Robert Byrd |
| Succeeded by | Tom Daschle |
| Chair of the Republican National Committee | |
| In office January 15, 1971 – January 19, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | Rogers Morton |
| Succeeded by | George H. W. Bush |
| United States Senator from Kansas |
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| In office January 3, 1969 – June 11, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Carlson |
| Succeeded by | Sheila Frahm |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas |
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| In office January 3, 1961 – January 3, 1969 |
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| Preceded by | Wint Smith |
| Succeeded by | Keith Sebelius |
| Constituency | 6th district (1961–1963) 1st district (1963–1969) |
| Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 81st district |
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| In office January 9, 1951 – January 13, 1953 |
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| Preceded by | Elmo J. Mahoney |
| Succeeded by | R. C. Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Joseph Dole
July 22, 1923 Russell, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | December 5, 2021 (aged 98) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Cause of death | Lung cancer |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Phyllis Holden
(m. 1948; div. 1972) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Washburn University (BA, LLB) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1948 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | 10th Mountain Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II (WIA) |
| Awards | Bronze Star Purple Heart |
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Other offices
1981–1985: Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
1985–1996: Leader of the Senate Republican Conference 1987–1995: Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee 1953–1961: County Attorney of Russell County, Kansas |
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Robert Joseph Dole (July 22, 1923 – December 5, 2021) was an American politician and lawyer. He was a very important leader in the Republican Party. Dole served as a U.S. Senator from Kansas for many years, from 1969 to 1996.
Before becoming a senator, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1961 to 1969. He also served in the United States Army during World War II. Dole was the Republican Leader in the Senate for 11 years.
He ran for Vice President in 1976. Later, he ran for President in 1996. He was a well-known figure in American politics for decades.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Robert Dole was born on July 22, 1923, in Russell, Kansas. His parents were Bina and Doran Dole. He grew up in Russell, which remained his official home for a long time.
After high school, Dole went to the University of Kansas. He played basketball, track, and football there. In 1942, he joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Serving in World War II
Dole joined the United States Army in 1942 during World War II. In April 1945, he was seriously wounded in Italy. He was hit by machine gun fire in his back and right arm.
His recovery was very slow and difficult. He received two Purple Heart medals for his injuries. He also earned the Bronze Star for trying to help a fellow soldier. His injuries affected his right arm, making it hard to move.
After the war, Dole continued his education. He studied at the University of Arizona. Then he went to Washburn University. He earned both undergraduate and law degrees in 1952.
Starting a Political Career
Dole first ran for office in 1950. He was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives. He served there for two years. In 1952, he became the County Attorney for Russell County.
In 1960, Dole was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Kansas's 6th congressional district. Later, his district changed, and he was reelected several times.
During his time in the House, Dole supported important laws. He voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1968. He also supported the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws helped protect the rights of all Americans.
Serving in the U.S. Senate (1969–1996)
In 1968, Robert Dole won the election for United States Senate. He became a Senator for Kansas. He was re-elected four more times, serving until 1996.
In the Senate, Dole was a strong supporter of the Vietnam War. He was chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1971 to 1973. He also led the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance from 1981 to 1985.
Senate Leadership
In 1984, Dole was elected Senate Majority Leader. This meant he was the top Republican in the Senate. He held this role from 1985 to 1987.
In 1976, Dole ran for vice president. He was on the ticket with President Gerald Ford. Ford and Dole lost the election to Jimmy Carter.
Over time, Dole became known for working with both parties. He sometimes voted with Democrats. For example, he worked with Senator George McGovern. They helped pass a law to make food stamps easier to get.
Leading the Senate Again
Republicans won control of the Senate and House in 1994. Dole became Senate Majority Leader for a second time. This was from 1995 to 1996.
In 1995, Dole and House Speaker Newt Gingrich led Congress. They passed a spending bill that President Bill Clinton did not approve. This led to a government shutdown.
Dole tried to find a way to end the shutdown. President Clinton praised Dole for trying to work together. In June 1996, Dole left the Senate. He wanted to focus on his presidential campaign.
Running for President
Dole ran for President of the United States three times. His first try was in 1980. He sought the Republican nomination. However, he quickly dropped out of the race.
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He ran again in 1988. He started strong by winning in Iowa. But he lost to George H. W. Bush in New Hampshire. Dole eventually ended his campaign.
The 1996 Presidential Campaign
In 1995, Dole announced he would run for president again. This was his third attempt. He was the favorite to win the Republican nomination.
Dole won the nomination in May 1996. At 73 years old, he was the oldest person to become a first-time presidential nominee. He would have been the oldest president if elected.
Dole chose Jack Kemp as his running mate for vice president. He promised to cut income tax rates by 15%. President Clinton criticized Dole's plan. Clinton said it would increase the national debt.
Some people worried about Dole's age. In September 1996, he fell off a stage at a rally. This made some people compare his age to the younger President Clinton.
Dole lost the election to President Clinton. Clinton won with 49.2% of the vote. Dole received 40.7%. Many believed the strong economy helped Clinton win a second term.
Life After Politics
After the 1996 election, Dole retired from public office. He focused on writing and public speaking. He also appeared in television commercials.
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He was a political commentator on Larry King Live. He also made guest appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. For a short time, he was a commentator with Bill Clinton on 60 Minutes. He even made a funny appearance on Saturday Night Live.
Dole also worked as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. He joined the law and lobbying firm Alston & Bird LLP.
Helping Others
Dole was involved in many volunteer groups. He led the campaign to raise money for the National World War II Memorial. He also worked with former President Clinton. They helped create a scholarship fund for families affected by the 9/11 attacks.
In 2007, President George W. Bush asked Dole to lead a group. They looked into problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. That same year, Dole helped start the Bipartisan Policy Center. This group works to find solutions that both parties can agree on.
In 2012, Dole spoke in the Senate. He supported a treaty for people with disabilities. However, the bill did not pass.
Later Political Involvement
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In 2015, Dole supported Jeb Bush for president. After Bush ended his campaign, Dole supported Marco Rubio. He later supported Donald Trump after Trump won the Republican nomination.
Dole was the only former Republican presidential nominee to attend the 2016 Republican National Convention. After Trump won, Dole helped him connect with the government of Taiwan.
In 2020, Dole expressed concerns about the presidential debates. He said he worried that some people on the debate commission did not support President Trump. After Trump lost the 2020 election, Dole disagreed with claims of widespread voter fraud. He stated there was no fraud in the many lawsuits Trump filed.
Personal Life
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Robert Dole married Phyllis Holden in 1948. They had one daughter named Robin. They divorced in 1972.
Dole met his second wife, Elizabeth Hanford, in 1972. They married in 1975. Elizabeth Dole also became a U.S. Senator.
Dole was a Freemason. He was known for sometimes talking about himself in the third person.
Health and Passing
In 2001, Dole was treated for an aortic aneurysm. In 2005, he had bleeding inside his head. This caused him to have mobility problems. He spent a lot of time recovering in the hospital.
In February 2021, Dole announced he had stage IV lung cancer. He chose to receive immunotherapy for treatment. Robert Dole passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2021, at age 98.
Many politicians honored Dole after his death. President Joe Biden ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. Dole's casket lay in state at the U.S. Capitol. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Awards and Honors
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In 1989, President Ronald Reagan gave Dole the Presidential Citizens Medal. In 1997, President Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This was for his military service and political career.
Dole also received the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award in 1997. This award is for great public service.
In 2017, the President of Albania gave Dole their highest civilian honor. This was for his work helping Kosovo Albanians.
On January 17, 2018, Dole received the Congressional Gold Medal. This award honored his service as a "soldier, legislator and statesman."
In 2019, the United States Congress passed a bill. It promoted the 95-year-old Dole from captain to colonel. This was for his service during World War II.
Images for kids
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Friend and future senator Daniel Inouye (left) with Dole (next to Inouye) playing cards while recovering at Percy Jones Army Hospital in the mid-1940s.
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Dole in Emporia, Kansas, 1974. Photo by Patricia DuBose Duncan.
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Dole in 2009 with his wife, former cabinet secretary and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole
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See also
In Spanish: Bob Dole para niños
