Sam Brownback: “I am in the Dole seat for Kansas. When Senator Dole left, I ran for his seat and was fortunate enough to be elected to…”

“I am in the Dole seat for Kansas. When Senator Dole left, I ran for his seat and was fortunate enough to be elected to that seat. I worked with Senator Dole for many years, when I was secretary of agriculture for Kansas. I first met him when I was Kansas State president of the Junior Farmers of America. I have had a wonderful relationship with Senator Dole. He is an outstanding American, and he is an outstanding Kansan. He deserves tribute. We in the Senate are certainly blessed and honored each time we have the opportunity to rise on our feet on this floor and address this august body. At this moment, I feel particularly blessed and honored to be able to recognize my predecessor, Senator Robert Joseph Dole. Today, we rise to mark the decade anniversary of Senator Dole announcing his retirement to this body. On June 11, 1996, Senator Dole, as the Republican nominee for the Presidency, announced that he would resign his seat in the U.S. Senate. And some asked, Why would he retire with 2 full years left in his term and only 6 months left in the campaign? ``I thought that was what was best for Kansas.'' For while he was many things--a legislator, a statesman, a decorated war hero, a leader--Senator Dole believed in his State and he believed in service to his State and he thought this was the best for his State, and that he would run just as a man, an ordinary citizen.…”