Thad Cochran: “I thank those who have come to the floor today to help honor our former colleague in the Senate, Bob Dole. I don't know…”

“I thank those who have come to the floor today to help honor our former colleague in the Senate, Bob Dole. I don't know of anyone who has had more of an influence on my career in the Senate than Bob Dole, although Howard Baker, who was the Republican leader when I first arrived in the Senate in 1978, also had a great deal to do with my career here. I don't know who coined the phrase ``compassionate conservative,'' but Bob Dole was the epitome of a compassionate conservative. His legislative record is replete with examples of his leadership to help ensure the formulation and implementation of policies by our Federal Government that recognized the needs of those who were unable to care for themselves, or were unable to make progress economically, without the assistance of the Government. He authored the Americans with Disabilities Act and helped lead the way for many Americans by his example of how one can overcome disabilities. My friend Gordon Smith mentioned his authorship of the book ``One Soldier's Story.'' That should be required reading for every American. It was a heart-warming yet heartbreaking account of his experiences in World War II in combat and his long road to recovering from the painful and life-threatening injuries he sustained in battle.…”