Former Senator Robert Dole and his wife Elizabeth listen to comments made about him during the ceremony Saturday.

It was a heartwarming homecoming for one Kansas favorite sons. A large gathering at the Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson Saturday for the dedication of the K-96 bypass former Senator Bob Dole. It’s called the, “Senator Bob Dole Bypass.”

He was honored Saturday with a portion of K-96 named in his honor, partly because at the time the bypass around the west side of Hutchinson was being considered, he was instrumental in getting some federal dollars to help provide the funding for the highway at a cost of 42-million dollars.

Dole while speaking at the Cosmosphere joked about being so tardy in coming to Hutchinson to be recognized for the portion of the highway. He joked that its probably about worn out by now.

He also joked that if someone should break down on that portion of the highway, they should call State Senator Dave Kerr, who is now the Chamber of Commerce President.

Dole represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1996, was Gerald Ford’s Vice Presidential running mate in the 1976 presidential election, and was Senate Majority Leader from 1985 to 1987 and in 1995 and 1996. Dole was the Republican party nominee in the presidential election of 1996, but he lost to incumbent Democrat Bill Clinton. Dole is currently special counsel at the Washington, D.C. office of law firm Alston & Bird.

Dole, like he did in Topeka talked some politics saying there needs to be more civility and bipartisanship in Congress and also the Senate where he was Republican leader. He says both sides need to learn to trust each other, then keep their word.

He says he was sent to Congress to accomplish something, to get something done, adding unlike Congress today. He then told 1st District Congressman Tim Huelskamp who was at the event, “no offense.”

Dole was also honored with the unveiling of a portrait of him as a young man painted by local artist Sid Eells. He used a black & white photo of Senator Dole when he was young to paint the portrait.

 

 

 

 

Dole was in his hometown of Russell Saturday prior to arriving in Hutchinson. His wife, Former Senator Elizabeth Dole was also present at the event. She served as a Senator for North Carolina for one term.