Peoria Standard

State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) paid an online tribute to the late U.S. Sen. Bob Dole.

"God  bless the incredible Bob Dole," the legislator said on Facebook. "He was a heroic wounded veteran from World War II, a longtime United States Senator who became Republican    Leader, and our 1996 nominee for President. He was also kind, funny,   and exceedingly gracious to others.  We need more people in public   service like Bob Dole. Rest In Peace Sen. Dole."

Dole had three campaigns for the presidency, Reuters reported. He ran 1980, 1988, and 1996 and was also then-president Gerald Ford's vice presidential choice in 1976, Reuters reported. Ford lost that contest to Jimmy Carter.

He was first elected to Congress from Kansas in 1960 in a House seat and moved up to the Senate eight years later after the retirement of GOP incumbent Frank Carlson, the Associated Press reported. Dole died Dec. 5 at age 98. He announced in February that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, the story said.

As a soldier in World War II, he charged a German position in northern Italy and was hit by a shell fragment, crushing two vertebrae and paralyzing his arms and legs, according to AP. He spent three years in the hospital but permanently lost the use of his right hand. 

He would clutch a pen in his right hand and extend his left so that people who tried to shake it would not be embarrassed,  AP said.