russian leader mikael gorbachev. at 8:00 p.m., richard brooke kaiser on george washington and the fight for philadelphia. watch today on the c-span networks. >> former senate majority leader bob dole received the congressional gold medal in recognition of his service as a soldier, legislator and statesman. president trump also speaks during this event held at the u.s. capitol.

>> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our honored guests, members of the united states house of representatives, members of the united states senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the vice president of the united states and the president of the united states. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the house of representatives. the honorable paul ryan. [applause] rep. ryan: please be seated. good afternoon everybody. it is a privilege to welcome you to the greatest hall in washington for an even grander occasion. we award to the highest civilian honor that this body can bestow. i am honored to be joined today by president donald trump, and

vice president mike pence, as well as senator elizabeth dole and second lady karen pence. i would also like to welcome all of our congressional leaders and so many familiar faces that i see in the audience. today, it is my honor to say that pursuant to s-1616, we the congressional gold medal to award the congressional gold medal to the soldier, the legislator and the statesman from kansas, senator bob dole. [applause]

rep. ryan: the congressional gold medal is one of our oldest traditions. since its founding, our country has been ushered beyond the threshold of greatness by individuals of unrivaled courage. bob dole is one of those giants. to the man from russell, it was always a question of what he could do for others. be it on the front lines of world war ii, or within the halls of congress, bob dole always stood by what is just and what is right. he was a resounding voice for the hungry and he was a resounding voice for those with disabilities. negotiating some of the biggest reforms of social programs that we have ever seen. he has also proven himself to be one of the greatest allies of america's veterans that we will

ever know. in 1999, he stood in this very place to dedicate that very flag for our prisoners of war and those missing in action. [applause] rep. ryan: bob dole has never stopped fighting for those who fight for us. he is as honorable as they come. it is this kind of american hero, this selfless and staunch defender of those who cannot defend themselves, who do not always get the recognition that they deserve. so today, may this celebration mark not only all he has done for those in this room, not only all that he is done for those watching at home, but all he has done and the impact he has made for those who don't even realize that it was he who made it.

senator dole, because of you, america is much better. on behalf of congress and all americans, thank you and god bless. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the presentation of the colors, our national anthem, and the retiring of our colors. ♪

>> oh say can you see by the dawn's early light? what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming

and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there o say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. ♪

>> please remain standing as the chaplain of the united states house of representatives gives the invocation. rev. conroy: let us pray. god of abraham, we give you thanks for the gift of life, and for the many blessings that life brings. today, we gather in this hallowed temple dedicated to the enjoyment of life and its blessings for our citizens. to honor senator bob dole of kansas. we are honored by his presence. and his long life of service to

his own nation. as a congressman, senator, and among so many efforts in his life as a private citizen, as cocreator of the bipartisan policy center a legislative , giant from the bygone era, may his commitments to work across the aisle to embrace practical , bipartisanship on many issues serve as an inspiration to current members of congress from both sides of the aisle. who desire to be productive and -- in congress. so easy to say, we know oh god, that this is difficult. thus, it is all the more noteworthy that his successors in government have chosen to honor him this day with the congressional gold medal.

bless our world with peace. bless senator bob dole and his wife elizabeth, and god bless the united states of america. amen. >> please be seated. ladies and gentlemen, the honorable lynn jenkins. [applause] rep. jenkins: it is truly an -- a great pleasure to be here in the capital today honoring not only a great kansan, but a remarkable mentor and my dear friend. on this historic day, i am

pleased to be joined by so many to award the congressional gold medal to senator bob dole in recognition for his service to the nation as a soldier, a legislature and -- a legislator and statesman. i am moved by the support and love the congress and our entire country has shown for this man. i think the good senator is fond of saying that you can take the boy out of kansas, but you cannot take kansas out of the boy. i know this is true when it comes to senator dole. when i was first elected to the ,ansas house, kansas senate there has been a strong and consistent voice mentoring me all along the way. the senator is always checking in on us back home, making sure that kansans know they still have a special place in his heart. that commitment to the people of the great state of kansas is truly inspiring. senator dole is known for many

great accomplishments, but of -- beyond all of those, he is fondly remembered as one who puts others before himself. the senator has given his blood, sweat and undying passion to serve this country. it is only fitting we award one of our nation's greatest citizens with the congressional gold medal. as you have, impacted me and inspired me , you have greatly impacted so many in this nation, as well as people all over the world and -- that you have never even met. i am blessed and humbled to call you a friend. there is no person i would rather see be awarded the congressional gold medal. may god bless you and your family, and may we all choose to live by your example. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, united states representative from the fifth district of maryland and the democratic whip of the house, the honorable steny hoyer. [applause] rep. hoyer: mr. president, mr. vice president, mr. speaker, leader mcconnell, leader schumer, former speaker pelosi, senator dole, in a timeless study of political courage, john f. kennedy wrote and i quote "the true democracy living and growing and inspiring puts its

faith in the people. faith that people will not simply elect men who will represent their views ably and faithfully, but also elect men who will exercise their conscientious judgment. faith that the people will not condemn those whose devotion to principle leads them to unpopular courses, but will reward courage. there are many speakers after me and i imagine the word courage will be intoned frequently. respect, honor, and ultimately recognized right. john kennedy spoke of senator bob dole and other americans who have risen above the average and

been extraordinary in their service to the american people. few americans living today have demonstrated the kind of courage that bob dole has. the metal he is receiving today represents his possession of two kinds of courage. the first is valor. the kind of bravery displayed on the battlefields of the second world war, whose wounds he has carried ever since. the second is conviction, a steady determination over the course of one's public life to stand up for what one believes to be right and to be just. that is our bob dole. that is what bob dole did in congress when he worked across the aisle with me and others to enact the americans with disabilities act.

and it is what he did when he came to the senate floor in 2012 in his wheelchair to advocate again for those with disabilities around the world, frankly against some in his party's opposition. it is the same courage he displayed again, and again, and again as a senator, as majority leader, as a presidential candidate, and as a private citizen. his devotion continues to this very minute. how blessed america is by their service. as we celebrate that courage today, we pay tribute to bob dole, a good legislator, but a good and great and decent american and human being. he has been advantaged of course

by the partnership of an extraordinary woman, a woman of compassion and commitment and like her husband of great , patriotism, loyal to our country and its people. his wife, elizabeth dole. [applause] rep. hoyer: senator, i am proud of the work that we have done together. i am honored by your friendship and so taken with your devotion to country. if i ever going to invent a united states senator who would reach out across the isle, reach out across the country to serve this nation well, i would invent bob dole. i am proud to be on hand to

recognize all you have achieved to enhance congress and to make our country stronger and safer. how appropriate it is to give a gold medal to someone who is the gold standard. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the united states senator from kansas, the honorable pat roberts. [applause] sen. roberts: thank you. mr. president, mr. vice president, senator elizabeth

dole, distinguished leaders and guests all, it is both a privilege and an honor for me to be part of this ceremony for my friend, my colleague, my longtime mentor bob dole. kansas' favorite son. looking around this rotunda with our nation's most senior elected officials, some might say there's no subject on which we could all agree. when congresswoman jenkins and i embarked on a mission last summer to make this happen, there was a tad bit of division in our congress. i knew that to get the senate's attention i needed to put a little elbow grease cutting through the noise in the

discourse, but in less than two days, two votes, two days, i had the signatures of all 100 senators. [applause] sen. roberts: i didn't have to go to them and ask. they came to me and asked if they could sign. it takes a very special person for all 100 of us do be so enthusiastic and grateful, joined in bipartisan cause for this unique award. the fact that we are here today is a testament to you personally, bob, to your leadership in congress, to your statesmanship, and perseverance in bringing us the world war ii memorial and to your heroism and sacrifice on the battlefield.

bob, you know, i could go pretty much all day long about you. i have some pretty good stories to tell. however, i will limit it to one. to the man and our mission to build a presidential memorial to the man who commanded you on the battlefield of italy, dwight david eisenhower of abilene, kansas. i am proud to say with your tireless advocacy the memorial is now being built just down the hill. thank you, thanks to your commitment, people will visit the memorial to the man you called your hero. too many of us and especially to team dole, you are our hero. your leadership on so many laws

that have improved lives for so many americans and memorials forever etched in stone will also remind america of you, the boy from kansas and your enduring love of our country. we return that love for you today. god bless you and god bless america. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, u.s. senator from vermont, the honorable patrick lee. -- patrick leahy. [applause] >> thank you.

mr. president, mr. vice president, thank you for being here. you are honoring a true american patriot. and bob, all the memories that come to the surface being here with you and elizabeth, two senators i served with. i am blessed for the opportunities we have had to spend time with the both of you on so many occasions, especially when you invited us to our -- your wedding reception, that was a great day. i have learned much from working with senator bob dole, majority leader bob dole, republican bob dole beginning when i was a young member of the senate a while ago. beyond the fact that bob dole is the longest-serving republican leader of the senate we can say , that he is a senate legend. the best leaders i have known in

my 43 years in the senate have shown three special qualities. the senate'sod unique constitutional role in the system. the second trait is the ability to bring people together, to forge agreements even when based on compromises. as -- little of great consequence is accomplished by any legislator alone, high achievement is a joint effort, especially with leadership like yours. a senate leader needs all of the tools. you have to be a quarterback, a shepherd, father, confessor, and you are every one of those. as a leader, he was a catalyst a , facilitator, a straight talker. he also had the best sense of humor of any senator i have served with and i could probably

not repeat some of the comments we had, but i remember when he and george mitchell met every day, he would invite democrats and republicans into his office and somehow persuade us we were working together and we did. his third trait is why that worked, that is trust. a good and effective leader must keep his or her word. by all accounts, bob, you always kept your word. we know the injuries he suffered, but those injuries led him to become a champion for others who cope with disabilities, thinking of others, not himself. i watched conservative bob dole and liberal george mcgovern create a child nutrition program

helping so many people here and around the world. we are only as strong as our values. our values are only as real as our actions, but bob dole rose to so many challenges under tremendous pressures. he set the example for putting country before party. we say well done. a grateful nation thanks you. it is better for the united states senate you love so deeply , better and stronger for your stewardship. we all thank you, we honor you and elizabeth, and i feel so honored that i was able to serve with you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the united states army band.

♪ >> when you walk through a storm, hold your head up high. and don't be afraid of the dark. at the end of a storm is a golden sky and the sweet silver

song of a lark. gone through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown. walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone. you'll never walk alone.

♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the, democratic leader of the united states house of representatives, the honorable nancy pelosi. [applause] rep. pelosi: mr. president, mr. vice president, mrs. pence, to our distinguished speaker, majority leader mcconnell, it is an honor to be here.

i want to pay tribute to the sponsors of the resolution, congresswoman jenkins, congressman steny hoyer, senator roberts and senator leahy. thank you for your leadership for getting this done so expeditiously. that was applause worthy. [applause] >> it is fitting that we met here where american heroes forged extraordinary progress for our nation are memorialized in marble and bronze. in the company of washington and lincoln, eisenhower and grant. b anthony and martin luther king jr., we gather to recognize another american champion, senator robert joseph dole. host: -- [applause]

representative pelosi: we are privileged to honor this leader of great integrity, deep dignity and extraordinary courage. we are blessed to be here with senator dole and his extraordinary wife. elizabeth, which room he has shared and celebrated 42 years of beautiful marriage. elizabeth is an american hero in her own right. i join steny in recognizing her. our nation is better for her strong leadership, her service in the cabinet, and the united states senate. we now thank her for her tireless work on behalf of our hitting heroes come the military caregivers who sacrifice every day for our veterans and country. thank you, elizabeth. [applause]

pelosi: senator bob dole has demonstrated his steadfast commitment to country right from the start. when the second world work broke out we know that bob left fields to fight. his courage in battle was legendary. for selflessness and immense sacrifice, he was awarded two purple hearts and the bronze star for valor. equally extraordinary was the bravery that bob dole demonstrated during his difficult recovery. he turned adversity into action as he healed from the grave ones -- wounds sustained while risking his life for a fellow soldier and decided to come to congress and to serve the people of kansas here. it gives my colleagues and me

great deep pride to know that senator bob dole first served in washington as a member of the house of representatives. that could be an applause line, but i guess not. [applause] pelosi: as a representative a senator and , majority leader he fought relentlessly to assure that every man and woman in uniform would receive the care they needed on returning from combat. just as the military leaves no one behind on the battlefield, we must leave no veteran behind when they come home. [applause] rep. pelosi: president dwight eisenhower, he chose to be memorialized here.

his family told us of his wishes as a five-star general. isn't that exciting? a lot of people can be president of the united states, but hardly anybody can be a five-star general. [laughter] pelosi: he stands in the rotunda and said people who value privileges above principle soon loses both. senator dole's life and career in bodies that fo's. -- ethos. holdingedicated to values. senator the all believes in the values of justice and battled in congress in the 1960's to expand the civil rights of every american. ,e believes in fairness fighting to create and push the americans with disabilities act

over the finish line. as my colleague mentioned, who worked with him on that legislation. bob also believes in honoring human dignity. together with george mcgovern he extended the lifeline of food stamps and nutrition initiative to millions of women, children, and working families. his initiative has brought food from american heartland to people across the world. that initiative is synonymous with americans compassion and the leadership in the world. senator dole once said our challenge is not to question american ideals or replace them, but to act worthy of them. may we all take heed of those profound words. senator bob dole for a lifetime , spent defending, advancing, and exemplifying our proudest american ideals, we thank you.

this congress sends our warmest congratulations to you, your wife elizabeth, and your entire family. in accepting this metal, you bring luster to it. and your service and leadership has brought luster to the congress of the united states. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the democratic leader of the united states senate, the honorable chuck schumer. [applause] sen. schumer: president trump, vice president pence, majority leader mcconnell, speaker ryan, leader pelosi, senators leahy

and roberts, congressman hoyer, jenkins senator elizabeth dole, , friends and family who have traveled here today, welcome. we gather of course to recognize senator bob dole, a son of the heartland born to an era of , depression and war, who unblinkingly answered his country's call to arms, who bravely fought in the second world war and at the age of 21 sustained grave injuries for which he earned two double -- two purple hearts and a bronze star, who after returning home did not pass the mantle of service, but rather continued to carry the torch in an altogether different way. elected by the people of kansas to serve them in congress for more than 35 years. what an astounding record of service. i never had the pleasure of serving in the senate with senator dole, but his reputation, achievements, and

most of all his character preceded him. i knew of his steadfast advocacy for veterans and americans with disabilities, something we greatly admire. i heard about his ability to work across the aisle to build coalitions that trust you could place in his word and the respect he would show a political opponent even as he fought them. and though i have never served with him in the senate, i am, unfortunately, familiar with his trademark wit. senator dole is responsible for a certain quotation that hounded me for many years. apparently the most dangerous place in washington is between chuck schumer and a camera. [laughter] [applause]

sen. schumer: perhaps a grain of truth. for the benefit of posterity, that observation had been made before about phil gramm and your homeboy arlen specter, but for some reason when senator joel uttered those famous words by yours truly, it docked. [laughter] senator dole, i bear you know ill will. after all, you are the one who brought c-span to the senate. i never would have found so many tv cameras without you. [laughter] [applause] sen. schumer: with much of the focus today on senator dole's career in congress, his post-senate life is similarly renowned. work overganization's the years, he has been

recognized around the world for his efforts to combat childhood hunger and malnutrition. over the course of more than four decades senator dole never , stopped serving, never stop never stopped working to make his country and his world a better place. what a legacy. senator dole has earned more than the congressional gold medal, though that he will receive. he has earned our universal admiration. congratulations, bob, on this much deserved honor. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the majority leader of the united states senate, the honorable mitch mcconnell. [applause]

sen. mcconnell: 67 years ago on a january day, a young man headed to the kansas state capital for his swearing in as state representative. he was only 27, but it wouldn't be the first time he swore to defend the constitution. back in 1942, just a teenager, he raised his right hand and the -- and in listed -- enlisted in the army. that oath took him to the hills of italy. one day his company took heavy fire. a nazi shell ripped into his

shoulder and although second lieutenant robert dole beat the odds and recovered, he would live with his war wounds every day thereafter. because of how faithfully he , boblled that first oath dole could no longer raise his right hand, but he wasn't done serving his country. so, he walked into the statehouse, raised his left hand, and began the next chapter and a life filled with patriotic sacrifice and public service. bob and i both arrived in the senate in 1969. of as a new senator victory, i was a twentysomething staffer. bob already stood out.

the staff marveled at the kindness and decency he showed us that we had nothing to offer him. bob spent 35 years in congress including a decade as leader. he ran a national campaign. his fingerprints are all over countless pieces of consequential legislation. but the most notable part of's -- of bob's career is the character that shaped it, his honesty, his humility, his abiding love for the people of kansas. bob dole's resume never left his roots behind. in the 1980's it was the son of the dust bowl and depression

that broke the stalemate and helped save social security. in 1990, it was this wounded warrior who reached across the aisle to help pass the americans with disabilities act. bob's compliments reshaped public policy. but for anyone who served with him, they are not his most memorable legacy. that would be his unimpeachable integrity or world-class sense of humor. bob showed us a leader needs a back bone and a funny bone. and in his case neither was in short supply. i didn't understand how high bob set the bar until my turn came to follow in his footsteps.

we are members of a small, rather elite group. we shared a unique role, one with intense demands and awesome responsibilities. we are the only two double -- two americans to serve as a first gentleman of the department of transportation and the department of labor. [laughter] [applause] sen. mcconnell: bob sets a tiring example in many ways, and -- towering example in many ways, and not least is marrying up. he and elizabeth have stood together, served together and encouraged one another with a loving friendship. and me as for so

many, the doles truly model what it means to be unlimited partners. elizabeth, it is wonderful to have you here with us today. [applause] sen. mcconnell: bob has built and extraordinary life on the basis of ordinary american values. as a legislator he showed that , principles and pragmatism are not opposites, but compliments. as a leader he prides results , over rhetoric. , from -- to percy jones army hospital to his favorite scented balcony facing the mall, this soldier, statesman, and american hero has never stopped fighting for vulnerable people who have less

power in the less strength than he does. that my friends is the true measure of servant leadership. that is bob dole. bob more than deserves the honor we are conferring today. the way i see it, the greater ours to thank him on behalf of the country he has loved and served so faithfully for his truly extraordinary service. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the united states house of representatives, the honorable paul ryan. [applause] rep. ryan: at this time, i would like to invite senator leahy, senator roberts, congresswoman jenkins, and congressman hoyer

to join us on stage to present centered all with the congressional gold medal. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, the honorable bob dole. [applause] mr. dole: mr. president, mr.

vice president, mrs. pence, and vice president quayle is floating around somewhere. [laughter] mr. dole: we are honored by your presence and we thank you very much for being here. i want to thank all of you who said such kind words about me. they probably weren't true, but they were nice. [laughter] >> mr. speaker, i am extremely honored to accept this great honor and i thank you for presenting it to me.

i also wish to thank all of the speakers who have been up here and said such kind words. and i also want to thank my colleagues, for without them nothing would have been , accomplished. and i also want to thank my staff and all of the staff that may be around. [applause] mr. dole: i have always said that you are no better than your staff. and i thank them for all they

have done for me over the years. mr. speaker, i yield the balance of my time. it [laughter] dole: to the distinguished gentleman from north carolina. [laughter] [applause] mr. dole: she is coming up. mrs. dole: and what a privilege it is to speak for the man i love with all my heart. i am so proud of you, bob. [applause] i once called myself the most optimistic man in america, maybe that comes from taking the long view. it's amazing that almost 60

years have passed since my neighbors in russell, kansas, and the voters of what we call the big first district sent me to this esteemed institution. i arrived in washington as green as a kansas wheat field in may. fortunately, i had some marvelous mentors, both republicans and democrats to guide me through the maze. house, statesman like jerry ford and charlie halleck. giants likee, hubert humphrey and george mcgovern all showed me a decency that transcended any party or generational differences. derksen who observed i am a man of fixed and unbending principles and one of my principles is flexibility [laughter] mrs. dole: put another way, it

even conviction politicians accept the need for compromise from time to time. this is how the american republic was built and we remain a nation defined by our diversity, a coat of many colors and a healthy respect for those who we made agree to disagree. for many years i occupied a suite of offices in the capital just down the hall. is an impressive setting anyway you look at it, but it is the view from s230 that sets it apart. hill, pastwn capitol general grant on his bronze 'srse to george washington obelisk and the marble shrine to abraham lincoln. 2004, that view has included a memorial i am truly proud to a championed, a fitting tribute to the 16 million

citizen warriors of world war ii whothose on the home front aided them in preserving civilization in its darkest hour. the view from s230 extends still further to the hills of arlington, the countless heroes who rest of their in soil hallowed by their service, spoke in many tongues, but this much they had in common, patriots before partisans. they put country before self. they gave everything for generations they would never see to uphold freedoms that make life itself worth living. it is a long way from s230 to the slopes of arlington, but nowhere near as long as the view they took of their obligations

to posterity and the defense of values that shine as bright as the gold in any medal. i share with you a lesson learned over 60 years, leadership begins with the long view. thank you. [applause] [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, the vice president of the united states, the honorable mike pence. [applause] mr. president, speaker ryan, leader pelosi, leader mcconnell, leader schumer, distinguished members of congress, vice president quayle, governor brownback, senator elizabeth dole, and all members of the dole family, and especially to the newest recipient of the congressional gold medal, the honorable senator bob dole. [applause]

vp pence: it's humbling for me to stand or you today. i do so as vice president, as president of the senate and as i told, as the husband of kansas born karen pence. [applause] vice pres. pence: as we heard today from so many speakers more eloquent than me, from the windswept plains of kansas to the war-torn hills of italy to the marbled halls of washington dc, bob dole has spent a lifetime serving this country with courage and conviction. today, we heard stories from those who have known him and worked with senator dole throughout his life, we have heard examples from his character, and they are legion. but for my part there was one moment in his life that seemed for me to embody the character of this great american.

at every stage of his life, bob epitomized the greatest generation. when you answered the call of duty serving as a decorated veteran in world war ii, when you represented your state in congress, when you lead as majority leader and then there was also that time in history when senator dole answered the call to run for president of the united states. but it was in the midst of that campaign he did something that i believe generations of us call to serve will remember and reflect on. as senate majority leader, he

held one of the most powerful positions in washington, d.c., a role that would have then waiting for him if he lost the race for the white house, but on a spring day in 1996, bob dole did something different. not different from his character, not different from the long expanse of service in his life. bob dole took to the floor of the united states senate and did what other statesmen have done in the history of this nation and he voluntarily relinquished a position. he bid that historic chamber goodbye. he stepped down from the united states senate and told the american people, "i will seek the presidency with nothing to fall back on but the white house or home." in that moment, bob, i will always believe that the american people saw your heart, yourself -- your selflessness, for you did in that moment as you have

done throughout your life, you put the interest of the country first and you demonstrated your unwavering commitment to serve the american people know matter the cost. senator dole, it is my great honor to stand before you today and offer a few words among so many others. we have heard of your life of service and consequence, but bob, you deserve to hear from someone far more important for me on this day. ladies and gentlemen, it is my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce on this special occasion the 45th president of the united states of america, president donald trump. [applause]

pres. trump: thank you very much. i must say that it is my great honor to join you today and to witness this incredible moment in history, the presentation of congress' highest civilian honor to our friend, a true american hero, bob dole. it is an honor to be here. thank you very much. thank you. great job. [applause] pres. trump: bob earned his place in the chronicle of american legends by the time he was 21, and in the decades since he has never stopped earning his place in the pages of american history. i also want to recognize senator elizabeth dole. elizabeth, that was beautiful. your words were beautiful. you have been my friend for a thank you very much.

long time. thank you very much. you have meant so much to our country and done so much for so many. i know that very well. thank you. [applause] pres. trump: everything we have heard today reminds us of the thoughts of second lieutenant dole when he was more than 4000 miles away from where we are ago, as hisears body lay paralyzed against a cold jagged italian hill. his thoughts went back home back to that small town of russell, kansas. and those darkest moments, bob dole had home in his heart. he wanted to go home. in the end it was home that saved him. home was his grandma who believed he would walk when the

doctors doubted that he would even live. it was his mother whose love and cooking fueled the fight to move his legs just a half-inch higher each and every day. half an inch each day, bob. it was dawson's drugstore on main street where a cigar box sat on the counter to solicit donations for his so many surgeries. home is where bob dole learned the classic american grit. he knows about grit. that got him through 39 months in hospice. it was where he learned the values of hard work, faith, and family that have defined him ever since. to the stars through difficulties is the state motto. to the stars through difficulty.

it is a beautiful motto. -- it is a beautiful motto of kansas andtate of the perfect description for senator dole's extraordinary life from his first year as a young representative of kansas to his tenure as the majority leader of the united states senate, all the way to today, bob dole has never stopped fighting for those values. he fights for kansas, for veterans, for the disabled, and for all of his fellow americans, and he always has. tens of thousands of veterans have boarded flights to visit veterans memorial. nearly every day at the memorial you can see tough war heroes moved to tears and many recounts

the unforgettable experience of being greeted at their memorial and much to their surprise by senator dole, somebody they have great respect for. one world war ii veteran wrote him from ohio after a visit and tell them that before he traveled on the honor flight, capital h, capital f, he didn't feel like he hadn't amounted to very much. he didn't feel good about himself. but when he came to washington, met senator dole, and saw the memorial to his service, i truly felt like a hero for a day. i never felt any better. that's because he remembered he was part of something much bigger than himself. he was an american patriot who defended freedom in its need of hour. he went out and defended it more than ever. those who wear our nation's

uniform are part of an unbroken chain of heroes. their sacrifice, bob's sacrifice, keeps us safe and prosperous and free. long after we are gone when our children, grandchildren, and rate grandchildren visit the national mall, they will no longer find world war ii veterans gazing up at the memorial to their friends and their deeds. they will be gone, but they will still stand in the place where our heroes have stood for so many years. their hearts will be filled the beauty and reverence of that grand memorial and they will hear the story of a great man who rose up from a small town in the heart of america to become a soldier, a congressman, a leader admired by all. they will hear the story of bob dole and in hearing that story

they will truly learn what it means to be a great american. that is the legacy you have left our nation and it will outlive us all. you are a friend. you are a patriot, hero, leader, and today you have become a recipient of the congressional gold medal. it is an honor to be with you, bob. thank you for your service. thank you very much. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the chaplain of the u.s. senate gives the benediction. >> let us pray. eternal lord god, the giver of every good and perfect gift, we thank you for the gift of senator robert j. dole, a hero and an exemplary role model for patriotism, service, justice,

and freedom. lord, we are grateful for the beauty of his life that continues to bring light to darkness, joy to sadness, pardon to injury, and hope to despair. may his magnanimous living challenge of us all to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, and to follow you more nearly each day. lord, bless and keep senator bob dole and his precious elizabeth in all of their going out and coming in, keep them without stumbling or slipping and one day may they both hear you say well done, good and faithful

servants. enter into the joys of your lord. we pray this in your great name, amen. >> please be seated. ladies and gentlemen, please remain at your seats for the departure of the official party. -- official party and until your row is invited to depart by a representative. thank you.

♪ [instrumental - my country, 'tis of thee]

[captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2018]

announcer: coming up, a look at the future of work from the u.s. meeting of the conference of mayors. then election infrastructure security and threats from russia

and others on elections later this year. later come up from this morning's "washington journal," historian douglas brinkley on donald trump's influence on the u.s. presidency. at 2:25 p.m. eastern, author craig shirley on president reagan's influence on the presidency. announcer: today, president's day on the c-span networks. c-span, the on launch of landmark cases from the constitutional center in philadelphia. p.m., the portrait unveiling ceremony for former president barack obama and first lady michelle obama. at a: 30 p.m., "late" magazines "slate" at 8:30 p.m., panel.e's

on american history tv on c-span three historians on world war i and the legacy of resident woodrow wilson. at six: 30 p.m., scholars explore the relationships between presidents ronald reagan , george h w bush, and russian leader mikhail gorbachev. at p.m., historian and biographer on george washington and the fight for philadelphia p.m., a historian and biographer on george washington and the fight for philadelphia. we wrap up our series from the consumer electronics show in las vegas with the latest look at electronics, phones, and virtual reality. >> electronic light emitting

leds evenferent from know it sounds the same. it makes its own light, so it doesn't need a backlight. now you have this very thin form curve and it enables some . , the actualompany panel supplier, is suing a --totype of a rollup display is showing a prototype of a rollup display. you press a button and it rises out, and when you are not watching it goes back in. it is a little bit of a glimpse of the future of what is possible. announcer: watch "the communicators" tonight at 8:00 .astern on c-span 2 announcer: mayors from around the country recently held their winter meeting to discuss the future of the work lace and entrepreneurial investment. aol cofounder steve case and

author jd vance were among the speakers.