Speaker Pelosi’s Floor Speech on the Passing of The Honorable Robert J. Dole

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives on the passing of The Honorable Robert J. Dole. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the Gentleman for his recognition. I thank him for hosting us this evening in this Special Order to honor a real hero in our country: Bob Dole. Thank you for you what did for the bereavement resolution, enabling us to have the use of the Rotunda, which takes an act of Congress – an act of Congress to use the Rotunda and to have the catafalque that was constructed for Abraham Lincoln to lie on so that Bob Dole could lie on that. True hero for our country.

I take great pride in the fact that Senator Dole served in the House of Representatives, as his first step in the Congress of the United States. I was teased by some of the Senators, saying: ‘You're laying claim to him, he was only there four years – he was in the Senate over 24 years!' And yet, we do – because he, again, his service here is a source of pride to us.

But, not only that, when he turned 90, we had his birthday party in Statuary Hall, on the House side of the Capitol. And, so many of his friends and colleagues that served with him, and friends and staff who had served with him, came, and I was happy to be invited by him to participate in the ceremony – in the ceremony. And it was his 90th birthday, fully pledging to be there to honor him for his 100th birthday. Well, we made it to 98 and nearly a half. 98 and nearly a half.

A great life, beautifully lived. One that is justified by his lying in state. And, as I said today at our ceremony, wrapped in the American flag – it's hard to think of anyone who deserves that honor more than Bob Dole. Super patriot. As a young, young person – fought for our freedom in World War II. Has been a champion for our men and women in uniform ever since, along with Elizabeth Dole – Senator Dole also, Senator Elizabeth Dole, who took up the cause of hidden heroes, those who care for our men and women in uniform when they come home and need care. The beautiful love between the two of them is a joy to all who knew and loved them – know and love them, still in the present. And, they are prayerful, patriotic, lovely, lovely Americans.

Indeed, it was just four years – almost four years ago, we gathered under the very Dome, where we were in the Rotunda, to present him with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor that Congress can bestow. We knew then, as we do today, that Bob Dole belongs among the pantheons of patriots memorialized in the Rotunda. And I couldn't help but thinking, watching him lying in state there, he looked very comfortable, very comfortable under the Dome of the Capitol, where he spent so much time – but time beautifully spent, in leadership, making a difference. As his casket lies in this temple of democracy right now, draped in the American flag, we're so proud.

From his heroism in World War II, to his leadership in the House and the Senate, he served our nation with legendary courage, dignity and integrity. Duty – duty was a word that sort of guided his actions. His duty to our country and military and elected office and as an elder statesman in our country.

He was greatly admired on both sides of the aisle, on both sides of the Capitol and across the country, because he was a person of integrity, a person of his word. He worked in a bipartisan way, whether it was addressing hunger in America, respect for people with disabilities – and advocates for troops, veterans and our hidden heroes. And, of course, he took great pride in his work on Social Security. He continued his powerful legacy beyond his retirement from Congress, alongside, again, his loving wife and prayerful partner, Senator Elizabeth Dole.

His life and legacy will forever be – challenge us to act worthy of him. As he said, ‘We shouldn't try to change the ideals of our country, we should try to be worthy of them.'

May it be a comfort to his beloved wife, Elizabeth, his dear, dear daughter, Robin, his long-time colleagues and friends, to the people of Kansas, that a grateful nation joins them and prays for them at this sad time as we mourn with them. May he rest in a very deserved peace.

Thank you, Senator Dole, for your leadership to our country, for being a leader, an exemplary leader, one that everyone would want to be like. We're going to miss him. His humor – he was very funny and very serious and very patriotic.

I thank you, Mr. Estes, for bringing us together to say some more words about Senator Robert Byrd – I'm saying Robert Dole, Senator Robert Dole. And such an honor to have him lie in state under the Rotunda, an honor shared by very few people, but one very much deserved by Senator Dole.

Thank you so much.