Former Sen. Bob Dole received the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday, in recognition of his service to the nation as a "soldier, legislator and statesman."

He was presented the medal by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, as other bipartisan congressional leaders, along with President Trump looked on. Dole wasan early backer of Trump, and the only former GOP presidential nominee to endorse the president.

Dole was lauded by a succession of Washington officials. "Bob Dole always stood for what was just and what was right," Ryan said. "Because of you, America is much better."

Trump called Dole "a true American hero," telling him, "good job."

It takes support from two-thirds of the House and 67 senators to award the medal. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said he got support for Dole's medal from all 100 senators in two days.

"You are our hero," Roberts said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., injected a moment of levity into the proceedings, crediting Dole for the coining the phrase, "the most dangerous place in Washington is betweenChuck Schumer and a camera." Noting that it had been applied to others before him, Schumer nonetheless thanked Dole for allowing C-SPAN cameras into the Senate chamber. "I never would havefound as many TV cameras without you," Schumer joked.

The Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded to a range of recipients, from George Washington to Rosa Parks to Frank Sinatra and is Congress' "highest expression of national appreciationfor distinguished achievements and contributions."

To read the complete article, see:
Bob Dole Receives Congressional Gold Medal(https://www.npr.org/2018/01/17/578568074/sen-bob-dole-to-receive-congressional-gold-medal)

To watch the C-SPAN video, see:
Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony(https://www.c-span.org/video/?439678-1/senator-bob-dole-awarded-congressional-gold-medal)

The medal was designed and struck by the United States Mint as authorized by Public Law 115-60. Its obverse (heads) features a portrait of Senator Bob Dole with the U.S. Capitol Building in thebackground. The design features the inscriptions "SON OF KANSAS," "SOLDIER," "STATESMAN," and "BOB DOLE." United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna created and engraved this design.

The medal's reverse (tails) displays a Kansas wheat field below a quote from Senator Dole: "FOR GREATNESS LIES NOT IN WHAT OFFICE YOU HOLD, BUT IN HOW HONEST YOU ARE, IN HOW YOU FACE ADVERSITY,AND IN YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STAND FAST IN HARD PLACES." An additional inscription includes "ACT OF CONGRESS 2017." United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill created and engraved thisdesign.

To read the complete Mint Press Release, see:
Bob Dole Receives Congressional Gold Medal(https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/bob-dole-receives-congressional-gold-medal)