Former Kansas Senator Bob Dole, the winner of Iowa’s 1988 and 1996 Caucuses, has died at the age of 98. Dole, who survived nearly fatal wounds in World War II and served 35 years in the U.S. Senate, was sometimes called “Iowa’s third senator.”
In both campaigns, Dole stressed his skills as a leader in the U.S. Senate.
Dole made those remarks during a speech in Ankeny, Iowa. Senator Chuck Grassley, who endorsed Dole and campaigned with him extensively, sat beside Dole in San Diego as Dole was formally named the GOP’s presidential nominee in 1996. Grassley issued a written statement, calling Dole a loyal friend and trusted mentor who set a standard of selflessness that all public servants should strive to emulate. Monte Shaw, who managed ELIZABETH Dole’s presidential campaign in Iowa, worked as a field organizer in southern Iowa for Dole’s 1996 caucus campaign.
Dole was honored with the 2008 World Food Prize and delivered an acceptance speech in the Iowa Capitol — promising the crowd it would be short.
Dole ended on a somber note, reciting a poem called “The Dash” which focuses on the dash between the dates of birth and death that are listed on a tombstone.
Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, the current U.S. ag secretary, issued a statement of condolence to the Dole family and he mentioned Dole’s sponsorship of the School Feeding Program that provides meals to children in low-income countries where food is scarce.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff immediately until sunset on Thursday, December 9, 2021, in honor and remembrance of Senator Dole, who represented Kansas in Congress for 35 years, both in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Senator Dole is considered a hero of World War II, and an influential force in U.S. politics, seeking the U.S Presidency three times.
The governor’s order is issued in conjunction with President Joe Biden’s proclamation to lower the United State’s flag to half-staff.
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
