Former Sen. Bob Dole (R., Kan.) was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday, and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) praised his long career of public service.
Dole, whom Ryan described as "the soldier, the legislator, the statesman from Kansas," is 94 and received the nation's highest civilian honor in the Capitol Rotunda, with President Donald Trump and many other officials attending. Ryan said Dole’s career was marked by courage befitting a recipient of this award.
"The congressional gold medal is one of our oldest traditions," Ryan said. "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."
Ryan focused on Dole’s acts of service for others.
"For the man from Russell, it was always a question of what he could do for others," Ryan said. "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 that our social programs have ever seen," Ryan added, "He’s also proven himself to be one of the greatest allies America’s veterans will ever know.
In Ryan’s words, Dole "has never stopped fighting for those who fight for us."
Ryan concluded by saying Dole made the country a better place.
"Senator Dole, because of you, America is much better," Ryan concluded. "On behalf of Congress and all Americans, thank you and God bless."