1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Bob Dole was born on July 22, 1923, in Russell, Kansas. (2) Growing up during the Great Depression, Bob Dole learned the values of hard work and discipline, and worked at a local drug store. (3) In 1941, Bob Dole enrolled at the University of Kansas as a pre-medical student. During his time at KU he played for the basketball, football, and track teams, and joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, from which he would receive the Man of the Year award in 1970. (4) Bob Dole’s collegiate studies were interrupted by WWII, and he enlisted in the United States Army. During a military offensive in Italy, he was seriously wounded while trying to save a fellow soldier. Despite his grave injuries, Dole recovered and was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with an Oak Cluster for his service. He also received an American Campaign Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. (5) While working on his law degree from Washburn University, Bob Dole was elected into the Kansas House of Representatives, serving from 1951–1953. (6) Bob Dole was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives and served two Kansas districts from 1961–1969. (7) In 1969, Bob Dole was elected into the U.S. Senate and served until 1996. Over the course of this period, he served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Senate Minority Leader, and Senate Majority Leader. (8) Bob Dole was known for his ability work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship on issues such as Social Security. (9) Bob Dole has been a life-long advocate for the disabled and was a key figure in the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. (10) After his appointment as Majority Leader, Bob Dole set the record as the nation’s longest-serving Republican Leader in the Senate. (11) Several Presidents of the United States have specially