Arrangements
For Immediate Release
December 7, 2021
President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to speak at Senator Robert J. Dole memorial service as part of announced remembrance events
Public invited to pay respects at National World War II Memorial service with speakers
Tom Hanks and Savannah Guthrie
WASHINGTON – The Elizabeth Dole Foundation announces the following remembrance events honoring the life and legacy of Senator Robert J. Dole who passed away on December 5, 2021. President Biden will speak at the Senator’s private memorial service at Washington National Cathedral on December 10, 11 a.m.
The public will have an opportunity to pay their respects to Senator Dole on the same day at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. The Senator’s funeral will be livestreamed at the site starting at 11 a.m., and his motorcade will pause at the memorial at 1:15 p.m. for a ceremony with Senator Elizabeth Dole and speakers Gen. Mark A. Milley, 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Tom Hanks, and Savannah Guthrie.
Remembrance events schedule (all event times are noted by local time):
Senator Robert J. Dole Lies in State at U.S. Capitol
Senator Dole will lie in state in the United States Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, December 9. At 10 a.m., a private ceremony will be held with President Joe Biden, Congressional leadership, Senator Elizabeth Dole and Robin Dole in the Rotunda. At 9:45 a.m., Joint Service Casket Team will retrieve casket and proceed to U.S. Capitol Rotunda Foyer. Formal departure will take place on Friday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capitol will not be open for public viewing.
Media note: For broadcast media, the network pool (NBC News) will carry the service; all pool subscribers should contact NBC for broadcast coverage needs.
Memorial Service at Washington National Cathedral
President Joe Biden will join national leaders and Senator Dole’s family members and close friends at Washington National Cathedral for an invitation-only memorial service honoring the life of Senator Dole on Friday, December 10 at 11:00 a.m. President Biden, Senators Pat Roberts and Tom Daschle, and Senator Dole’s daughter Robin Dole, will offer tributes to the late Senator. Lee Greenwood will perform. The Cathedral will have a live stream of the service at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QHR0uQATsc.
Media note: All media wishing to cover the funeral must request press credentials from the Cathedral in advance by filling out the form at this link. All requests for credentials are due by Wednesday, December 8 at 5 p.m. ET, and determinations for these requests will be made on Thursday, December 9. For broadcast media, the network pool (ABC News) will carry the service; all pool subscribers should contact ABC for broadcast coverage needs.
Tribute Ceremony at World War II Memorial
On December 10, 11:00 a.m., the Senator’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral will be livestreamed on large screens at the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall. At 1:15 p.m., Senator Dole’s motorcade and casket will pause at the Memorial for a ceremony honoring his life and military service. Remarks and tributes will be offered by close friends of the Doles, Gen. Mark A. Milley, 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Tom Hanks, Academy Award-winning actor; and Savannah Guthrie, TODAY co-host. Senator Elizabeth Dole will lay a wreath in honor of her late husband. U.S. Army Band will perform patriotic melodies. The public is invited to attend. ADA accommodations will be available. The ceremony will be streamed on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/elizabethdolefoundation.
Media note: Media must be credentialed. All requests for credentials must be submitted to media@dolememorial.org by Thursday, December 9 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Approval notifications will be sent by 7:00 p.m on Dec. 9. Press risers and a mult box will be available. On day of event, we ask that media check-in and set up 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. For broadcast media, the network pool (CBS News) will carry the service; all pool subscribers should contact CBS for broadcast coverage needs.
Return to Kansas
Following the WWII Memorial ceremony, the late Senator and his family will be transferred to Joint Base Andrews, Md. for his final trip home to Kansas. A departure ceremony will take place at approximately 2:35 p.m. The Senator’s casket will arrive at Salina Regional Airport the evening of December 10 and will be received by a Kansas delegation led by Governor Laura Kelly.
Russell Memorial Service
On December 11, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., a public viewing will be held at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. A service will be held at 11:00 a.m., with tribute remarks from Senators Pat Roberts, Jerry Moran, and Roger Marshall. The public will be invited to pass by the Senator’s casket following the service to pay their respects. At 1:00 p.m., Senator Dole’s casket will depart.
Kansas State Capitol Service
On December 11, 4 p.m., Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and a delegation of Kansas officials will receive Senator Dole’s casket at the Kansas State Capitol. Kansas ROTC cadets will provide an honor cordon as the Kansas National Guard Casket Team carries the Senator’s casket to its position of repose on the second level. A public ceremony will take place in the Capitol Rotunda and will include remarks by Governor Kelly; Senators Roger Marshall, Jerry Moran, Nancy Kassebaum Baker; and former Congressman James Slattery.
After the service, Senator Dole’s casket and family will return to Washington, D.C. Senator Dole’s internment details are forthcoming.
Media Contacts:
National and DC media inquiries and interview requests:
Austin Courtney, Director of Communications, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
media@dolememorial.org, (703)629-8011
State of Kansas media inquiries and interview requests:
Leah Hallstrom, Communications Coordinator, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics
leahnel@ku.edu, (785)864-3103
Washington National Cathedral media inquiries:
Tony Franquiz, Senior Strategist, West End Strategy Team
tfranquiz@westendstrategy.com, (202) 374-5393
Biography, career details and photos:
Visit www.robertdole.org