U.S. Senator, and U.S. Congressman. He served in the United States Senate, representing Kansas from January 3, 1969 to June 11, 1996. He also served in the United States House of Representatives from both the 6th and 1st Districts of Kansas from January 3, 1961 to January 3, 1969. He was born into a working-class family and attended the University of Kansas before enlisting in the United States Army. He served in the army during the Second World War and rose to the rank of second lieutenant. During the war, he was seriously wounded in fighting in Italy, after which he was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. His recuperation from his wounds took nearly four years and despite four major operations, he lost the use of his right arm and hand. He later returned to school and graduated with a law degree from Washburn Municipal University in Topeka, Kansas. From 1951 to 1953, he served in the Kansas State House of Representatives. In 1952, he became the County Attorney of Russell County and served four terms in this office. In 1960, he ran, as a Republican, for a seat in the United States House of Representatives was successful in the general election. He served in the House for four terms before deciding to seek the United States Senate seat that was being vacated by Republican Sen. Frank Carlson in 1968. He was successful in his bid for the Senate seat and went on to serve for five terms before leaving the Senate to run for President in 1996. During his Senate tenure, he also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1971 to 1973 and was the 1976 Republican Vice Presidential nominee. He also was Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee (1981-1985), Senate Majority Leader (1985-1987, 1995-1996), and Senate Minority Leader (1987-1995). During his Senate tenure, he was known as a pragmatic conservative. After two unsuccessful tries for the Republican presidential nomination in both 1980 and 1988, he was successful in winning the nomination in 1996. He, along with running-mate Jack Kemp, ran against President Bill Clinton, but was not successful in the November general election. After leaving public office, he worked for a law firm in Washington, D.C. and frequently appeared on television as a political commentator. In 1997, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He passed away after a battle with cancer.