Robert J. Dole, a Kansas Statesman, is inducted for his long-standing governmental service in social and agricultural issues. Senator Dole’s public service career reaches from World War II through the close of the last century. He is best known as former Republican United States Senate Majority Leader and Senator from Kansas, having served in the United States Legislature from 1960 through 1996.

Senator Dole played an integral part in the development and reconstruction of the Food Stamp Program, the School Lunch Program, and every major farm bill since the 1960s. The 1985 Federal Farm Bill set forth landmark conservation policy for farms and ranches, including establishment of the Conservation Reserve Program.

Senator Dole’s bipartisan efforts resulted in national policy that improved the lives of millions of American families through passage of the Federal Nutrition Safety Act; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Senator Dole championed the ethanol industry and pro-ethanol amendments during the 1990 Clean Air Act and the 1992 national energy debates. His international diplomatic efforts included membership with U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization; co-chair of the Partnership to Cut Hunger in Africa; and participation with the Global School Lunch plan.