Bob Dole Death: Bipartisan Tributes Cite Statesmanship

ACROSS AMERICA — President Joe Biden recounted several memories he had of his "dear friend" Bob Dole in a statement remembering the life of the longtime legislator Sunday afternoon.

Biden's statement was part of a far-reaching, bipartisan tribute to the former Senate Majority Leader and presidential candidate following his death. Dole died in his sleep early Sunday morning, wife and former Congresswoman Elizabeth Dole said in a statement through the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

Biden praised Dole's heart, bravery and determination as a senator and lauded his work on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.

• OBITUARY: Bob Dole, Decorated World War II Vet, GOP Stalwart, Dies At 98

"Bob was an American statesman like few in our history," Biden said. "A war hero and among the greatest of the Greatest Generation. ... I will miss my friend. But I am grateful for the times we shared and for the friendship Jill and I and our family have built with Liddy (Elizabeth) and the entire Dole family.

"May God bless him, and may our nation draw upon his legacy of decency, dignity, good humor, and patriotism for all time."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the flags be flown half-staff at the Capitol.

Republican Sen. Mitt Romney praised Dole's dedication to serving his country in a tweet, saying he epitomized the greatest generation.

Republican Sen. Paul Ryan expressed gratitude for Dole's public service and posted a picture of himself awarding Dole with the Congressional Gold Medal.

"Bob Dole was a soldier, a legislator, and a statesman," Ryan tweeted. "He always stood for what was just and right."

Former Vice President Mike Pence added similar sentiments.

"Senator Bob Dole was a truly great man who lived an extraordinary life of service to America, and he will be deeply missed by all of us who had the privilege to know him," Pence tweeted.

Former Sen. Al Franken, a Democrat from Minnesota, remembered Dole's sense of humor.

"His memory will be a blessing to his family and the country he served," Franken tweeted. "He was a war hero, one of the great senators, a lovely man, and…well, I’m finally the funniest former US senator. I’ll miss this REALLY funny man."

Democrat Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison offered condolences to the Dole family in separate tweets.

"Bob Dole served his country with courage on the battlefield, and with dignity in the Senate," Sanders said.

"We honor his service and dedication to the nation," Harrison said. "May he rest in peace."

Today Show co-host Al Roker weighed in with admiration of Dole's ability to compromise and work with others.

"The loss of Senator Bob Dole ... reminds us of a time senators worked across the aisle with dignity," Roker said. "A war hero and a patriot, he possessed a sharp, self-deprecating wit. He will be missed."