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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) recently greeted numerous Kansas World War II Veterans at the National World War II Memorial during an Honor Flight visit, and paid tribute on the U.S. Senate Floor to one of those veterans – a former member of the United States House of Representatives for the Fifth Congressional District of Kansas – Richard “Dick” Nichols.

“Whether as a Congressman representing the Fifth, a community banker in his hometown, or as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, Dick always puts service to others above self-interest,” Sen. Moran said. “I believe that we change the world one person at a time and Dick Nichols represents that kind of person who changes lives, in fact, changes the life of every person he meets.” 

Highlights of Sen. Moran’s remarks can be found below, along with links for downloadable video:

(0:07) “Last month, I was at the World War II Memorial greeting a number of Kansans who had arrived on an Honor Flight and certainly want to pay tribute to each of our servicemen and women and veterans…what a great experience it was on a beautiful day at the memorial. One of those veterans was someone I want to talk about this evening to my colleagues here in the United State Senate. Getting off the bus that day was my friend and a former member of the United States House of Representatives for the Fifth Congressional District of Kansas, Dick Nichols.

(1:17) “Dick was born in Kansas. He was raised in Fort Scott and served during World War II as an ensign in the United States Navy. After serving our nation with great integrity and humility, he pursued and achieved a bachelor’s degree in science from Kansas State University in 1951. Congressman Nichols is a supporter of education, but particularly a supporter of education that comes from Kansas State University—he is a Wildcat through and through.

(3:37) “But whether he was a Congressman representing the Fifth or a community banker in his hometown or as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, Dick always put service to others above self-interest. He was involved in politics. Prior to his election in office, to Congress, he was active in Kansas politics, and particularly Republican politics. In my first campaign in 1996 for the U.S. House of Representatives, it was an honor for me to have him agree to serve as my campaign’s honorary chairman.

(4:47) “Dick has often been quoted to say, ‘Much of life is in our mental attitude. If you think great things might happen, they do. If you question them ever happening, they won’t!’ I agree with that sentiment and I have seen Dick Nichols live that in his life, and because of his attitude and character, many—including me—were inspired not only to get to know him, but then to try to model our public service after his.

(5:20) “In McPherson, there are few people more loved and respected than Dick Nichols, and it’s a privilege for me to be able to call him a friend and mentor.”

FTP LINK:  Click here to download his floor speech. (Save to your desktop.)

YOUTUBE:  Click here to watch his remarks on YouTube.

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