Flags have been lowered to half staff in honor of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, who died Sunday, Dec. 5. He was 98 years old and had been battling lung cancer at the time of his death.
News of Dole’s death was released from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, stating, “Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, as age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years.”
President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. flag to be lowered and to fly at half staff until the day of Dole’s internment. Biden described Dole in a statement as “an American statesman like few in our history. A war hero and among the greatest of the Greatest Generation.”
The full statement is available here.
Bob Dole was a man to be admired by Americans. He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor. May God bless him, and may our nation draw upon his legacy of decency, dignity, good humor, and patriotism for all time.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 5, 2021
Former President Obama remembered Dole in a Tweet calling him “a war hero, a political leader, and a statesman—with a career and demeanor harkening back to a day when members of the Greatest Generation abided by a certain code, putting country over party. Our thoughts are with Elizabeth and the Dole family.”
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan described Dole as a true statesman and selfless patriot who “brought incredible decency to public service” in a statement released Sunday.
U.S. and state flags in Maryland are flying at half-staff to honor the life and legacy of Senator Bob Dole, a true statesman and selfless patriot. pic.twitter.com/3W93uVcrbc
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) December 6, 2021
Funeral arrangements are not available at this time. They will be posted to the Robert Dole Institute of Politics online.