Bob Dole: “last year, my husband, Bob, had the privilege of introducing Members of the Senate to John Dawson, who was nominated to…”

“last year, my husband, Bob, had the privilege of introducing Members of the Senate to John Dawson, who was nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador to Peru. Ambassador Dawson assumed leadership of the Embassy in Lima in November 2002, at a time of increasing discontent with the government of President Alejandro Toledo. Undaunted, John was excited about the challenges and opportunities of the new post. But his tenure there was all too brief. Sadly, just as he was entering the prime of his life and at the pinnacle of his career, John died of cancer on August 1, 2003. Those who knew John well, knew him to be very dedicated to duty a man with a high sense of optimism and great compassion for others. He was kind and thoughtful, and generous in the giving of his time. At his Senate confirmation hearing, it was clear that John had extraordinary interpersonal skills, and the work history and experience to qualify him for his ambassadorship.”