Dole Takes A Jab At Hollywood

Former presidential candidate Bob Dole suggested Friday that the nation's film industry could do more to help veterans. "They've made a lot of money making World War II movies," he told a Senate hearing. "So far, they've kept it."

Dole softened his testimony to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to single out actor Tom Hanks for praise. Hanks, who played a starring role in the 1998 hit movie Saving Private Ryan, has been helpful in raising funds for a $100 million World War II memorial to be built in the nation's capital, Dole said.

The Kansas Republican, who was wounded badly in World War II, testified on behalf of a bipartisan commission's recommendations for a package of increases in military and veterans benefits. Dole sponsored the legislation that set up the commission in 1996, before he resigned from the Senate to pursue a losing presidential campaign.

Dole said he's been spending some of his time trying to raise funds for the World War II memorial, which is to be built on the Mall in Washington.

President Clinton dedicated the 7.4 acre site in 1995. But Dole told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, "It's very hard to raise $100 million. We don't want the government to raise the money, we want to raise it ourselves."

He said about $40 million has been collected so far.

"We haven't had much success tapping the movie industry. So if you have any friends there, we'd appreciate it," Dole told his former colleagues. "We haven't given up."

Actor Hanks helped raise about $75,000 for the memorial by mentioning the 800 number in a television appearance and planned to do public service announcements, Dole said. "So we've had some cooperation from some of the people out there."

Dole, 75, whose right arm was permanently disabled by wounds suffered fighting in Italy in 1945, said it was important for the nation not to forget its World War II veterans. "And one way to remember this generation is to have some fitting memorial in Washington, D.C."

Dole's jab at the entertainment industry isn't new. During the 1996 campaign, he frequently criticized Hollywood for the content of its movies.

His wife, Elizabeth, recently resigned as president of the American Red Cross to test the waters for her own possible GOP presidential bid.

Dole told the panel that it was long past time to boost benefits for the nation's 26 million veterans, of which 6.5 million are World War II veterans.

The bipartisan panel has recommended the most sweeping changes in benefit programs since the 1950s, including a merging of VA and military hospital services, easier terms for veterans buying their first homes, investment plans for enlistees like 401(k) plans in the private sector, and expanded educational benefits under the GI bill.

The most controversial part of the package is a recommendation that the government pick up the entire ost of a college education - at any college, regardless of cost - for anyone who has served four years in active military duty.

Dole said the phone number for contributions is 1-800-639-4992.

Written By Tom Raum, Associated Press Writer