Captioning performed by vitac captioning performed by vitac. You and i, my fellow sense, need to be strong in our faith that all nations under god will reach the goal of peace with justice. We pray that peoples of all faith, all races, all nations may have their great human needs satisfied and that the scourge of poverty, disease and ignorance will be made disappear from the earth, that in the goodness of time, all people will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the finding force of Mutual Respect and love. Evening, and welcome to the dedication ceremony for dwight d. Eisenhower memorial. For everyones health and safety, please exercise safe social distancing and ensure that your masks remain on when you are not eating or drinking. To begin our program, we are honored to be joined by the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division as they were with general eisenhower the night before dday to present tonights colors. They will be accompanied by the president s own u. S. Marine band. The National Anthem will be performed by these celebrated group, voices of service, who will then be followed by kansas own rachel mast, who will honor our flag with her rendition of the pledge of allegiance. Please rise for the presentation of colors and please remain standing for the National Anthem and the pledge of allegiance. O say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you to the 177th fighter wing new jersey fighter guard for providing flyover coverage for tonights ceremony. To give tonights in vocation were pleased to have with us barry c. Black. He served in the navy for 27 years and completed his distinguished military career as the chief of navy chaplains. In june 2003, rear admiral barry black was elected to serve as 62nd chaplain of the United States senate and has been in that role every since. To open tonights ceremony in prayer, here is chaplain black. You may be seated. Let us pray. O lord, the light of lights, how majestic is your name in all the earth. We marvel that you care about humanity and have crowned us with glory and honor. Today accept our gratitude for the life and legacy of president dwight David Eisenhower, who more than self his country loved and mercy more than life. We praise you that his love for freedom summoned our nation to embrace our best hopes. Thank you mighty god for his ability to plant seeds of confidence, to build bridges that helped bring unity to a divided nation and world. May this memorial dedication remind us of americas opportunity to continue to strive to create a more perfect union, where justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. Lord, give us the grace to love what you command and to desire what you have promised. Grant that guided by your light, we may reach the light that never fades, ilumened by your truth we may reach the truth that is complete. Bless this evening our food, fellowship, reflections and inspiration, we pray in your sovereign name, amen. To recognize though who made this memorial possible and acknowledge tonights attendees, please welcome the vicechairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and representative of californias fifth congressional district, Mike Thompson. Good evening, im representative Mike Thompson representing Fifth District and vice chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. Thank you for joining us today to celebrate one of our countrys greatest leaders. Whether youre here in person or watching online, youre taking part in a unique tradition. This will be only the seventh president ial memorial to be built in washington, d. C. Congress passed the bill creating eisenhower memorial while president bill clinton was in office. Today, two decades later, we are gathered to dedicate this memorial and recognize a lifetime of Public Service. This ceremony, this memorial, would not be possible if it were not for the 12member commission. Let me recognize my colleagues on the commission who gave their time and energy to establish the dwight d. Eisenhower memorial. For those of you who are in attendance, please stand when you hear your name. The chairman, senator pat roberts of kansas. Senator joe manchin of west virginia. Senator gary peters of michigan. Senator dan sullivan of alaska. Congressman Sanford Bishop of georgias second district. Congressman mike simpson of idahos second district. Congressman Mac Thornberry of texas 13th district. Former kansas senator bob dole. Commission member alford judolic. Commission member susan harris. Commission member susan ann stephens. Thank you for your leadership and devotion to this project. I would like to acknowledge a few other people who are with us this evening. Secretary of interior david bernhardt. Secretary of transportation elaine chao. Secretary of education betsy devos. Your respective departments all hold important pieces of president eisenhowers legacy. Thank you for joining us to celebrate this occasion. Thank you to secretary devos and Education Department housed in the building directly behind me, for being such gracious neighbors throughout the construction process. Thank you Speaker Nancy Pelosi for taking part in tonights dedication and for your personal attention helping to make this memoranda reality. Were grateful that youre here and for all that you have done over the years for this important project. I would also like to thank the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general mark milley for being with us today. Also want to recognize Brigadier General here representing the marine corps. And colonel here representing 101st Airborne Division. Thank you both for being here. Were also grateful to have the ambassador of the republic of china and deputy chief of mission from italy mauricio with us tonight. Thank you for representing your beautiful nations and the support you have shown for this memori memorial. Id also like to recognize tomas, the artist and architect who created the incredible tapestry you see behind me. This oneofakind piece displays the iconic normandy coastline in peace time, which general eisenhowers troops invade on dday. Standing at 80 feet high and 450 feet long, there is not another tapestry like this anywhere in the world. Tomas, on behalf of the commission, thank you for your incredible work. I also want to recognize Senior Leadership from Clark Construction who are here with us. Randy sea wauld, david and jared, thank you for your dedication to completing this fantastic memorial. I also want to recognize alex, kia and kayden eisenhower, president eisenhowers great grandson and great, greatgrandchildren, who are here representing the eisenhower family. We also have meryl atwater, son of Mary Jean Eisenhower and great grandson of the president as well. Were honored to have you on this special day. Serving on this commission to memorialize a truly Great American hero has been a tremendous honor. Thank you very much. Please welcome the host of tvs fullcourt press and voice of americas plugged in greta van susteren. Good evening. If you think this weather is rough, i bet just think of what it was like on the English Channel back in 1944. This weather is nothing like what members of our military did for us and saw them. This is a great night tonight. We honor general eisenhower, his spectacular military career. Im sure senator bob dole would want me to mention some of the generals accomplishments. Without his service, this nation, the world, would be a very different place. The general, of course, didnt stop with the military career, which youll hear much about that tonight. Like others, many from world war ii went on to serve this nation in other capacities. He became president. As president , general eisenhower, president eisenhower, did incredible things. Just a few brief examples. In 1956, the. Eisenhower championed formation of interstate highway system. Look where that take us all, across the great nation. In 1958 president eisenhower established nasa, the civilian space Agency Responsible for the Space Program and look where it took us, to the moon. In 1954, when the u. S. Supreme court struck down racial segregation in schools, and one Arkansas School district defied the law, it was president eisenhower who sent in federal troops to uphold the Supreme Court decision fighting segregation. He led us in war and as president , and he led us through years of no war, of fairness and prosperity, which brings me to another world war ii vet, robert dole. With it comes a personal story. This story doesnt go back to world war ii, thats before i was born, but it goes back to april 2004, the night before the opening of the world war ii memorial just down the street. I was doing a live show that night next to the memorial celebrating the fact that the following day that memorial would be dedicated. I had the perfect guest that night, senator robert dole. Senator dole famous not only for being a member of congress and Senate Majority leader from kansas but as a quiet hero himself. He enlisted in early years of world war ii and Second Lieutenant before shipping off to italy. While in italy april of 1945, he was seriously wounded by german machine gunfire as he attempted to rescue a radio man during an assault on an enemy position. It has been reported his fellow soldiers on seeing the extent of his injuries thought that all they could do was to give him the largest dose of morphine they dared and write m on his forehead in his own blood, so no one who found him would give him a second fatal dose. His chances of living were slim. He didnt give up. He never has. He beat overwhelming odds while spending many years in a military hospital. For his military service to his nation, to all of us, dole was deck indicaorated three times, star for valor for his attempt to assist a downed radio man. In 2014 i was embarrassed and horrified as i was sitting next to him talking about the memorial of world war ii, i said to him, how did this come about . We were killing time. He said world war ii veterans lobbied congress for the land and world war ii veterans raised the money. I was horrified. My generation, which reaped all the benefits of all the sacrifices of general eisenhower and all the world war ii vets including senator dole had not raised the money for that monument, when were the ones who owed a great thanks to him and everyone else who fought there. We know without general eisenhower and all the others who served, this would be a very different world. How noble they were. Fighting for ideals. Upon winning the war, not taking one square feet of land. In the end rebuilding the nations that were host to the war. My conversation with senator dole did not stop with the world war ii memorial, because i wanted to change the topic. So when he told me that the project was under way to build this memorial. Thats something he and senator roberts from kansas wanted to do, i thought, you know, i need to be part of this in some way. And of course thats what brings all of us here tonight to this dedication of this memorial to general eisenhower. I just want to say speaking tonight about general eisenhower is a great honor, and its also a great honor to be here tonight to thank all the world war ii vets, all the current people serving in uniform. Senator pat roberts, they all helped us get here. This memorial general eisenhower, a great inspiration, a great reminder to all of america and all the great things our nation does and all the great leaders who led us here. A special thanks to senator roberts, to senator dole, and for everyone else who participated in this project so we can continue to remind ourselves of what we can do. Here is senator dole. Im sorry i cannot be with you this evening as you honor a Great American, dwight david eisenhow eisenhower. He was a wonderful man. He was honest. He was sincere. He had an integrity. He was decisive. He spent much of his time in world war ii trying to reconcile the interest of the british and the french and the americans. But he did it with expertise. He kept everybody on board because of his brilliant approach we won world war ii, and then eisenhower moved on and became a Great American president. Eight years of peace and prosperity. He made many, many tough decisions. So im very proud of kansas, not from abilene but not far away, and im really proud to call general eisenhower, president eisenhower, major eisenhower, whatever, my hero. Announcer ladies and gentlemen, please welcome bret baier, chief Political Correspondent for fox news. Good evening, im bret baier. Wasnt it wonderful to hear from senator dole tonight . Its a true honor to be here. Obviously senator dole a true american hero, Public Servant. My day job is to cover the news across the u. S. And around the world. But im also a huge fan of general eisenhower, our 34th president. In fact, so much so, i wrote a book about him three days in janua january Dwight Eisenhowers final mission. The thing i love about ike to generations like mine and younger, who werent around during his era, how he was perfectly reflecting the american ideal. He was an ordinary man who answered the call to perform extraordinary duties and deeds. Then when the war was over, he was humble about it. He realized that his fame was earned, as he put it, in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends. Called to serve once more as president , he was fully aware of his shortcomings. He was a soldier, not a political animal, not a politician, but he was always trusted, and he always trusted the American People to be smarter even than their leaders. And his own personal code was to associate with and learn from people who knew more than he did. Throughout his life eisenhower maintained the manner of the scrappy kid from kansas. You see that here in this memorial. He knew that what made America Great was not its superiority with our Weapons Systems or the dominance of our economy. As he liked to say, what counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. This is a really special event. Were sorry its raining, but it doesnt take away from this moment. I know i can speak on behalf of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and say the ceremony would not be the same if not for all of you here tonight and all that youve done, whether youre here in person or watching on cspan or streaming online. Thank you for coming. Thank you for watching and recognizing americas Supreme Commander during world war ii and our 34th president. One quick reminder, obviously, to everyone to keep social distancing, health and safety. We do ask the attendees tonight to practice that and to keep your masks on during the event when youre not eating or drinking. Our next speaker is a world renowned architect, whose works include the Guggenheim Museum in spain, the walt disney concert hall in los angeles, the art gallery of ontario in toronto, and many other prestigious buildings around the world. In 1957, he completed his first professional design, his own house in idyllwild, california, which he worked on as an apprentice. His most recent is this, the dwight d. Eisenhower memorial, his first design for a public project. Unfortunately hes unable to join us tonight in person, but he did provide a recorded greeting. So please welcome frank gehry. What pa day today. Im so honored to be part of this ceremony to honor Dwight Eisenhower in washington, d. C. To prepare for this formidable task, i studied everything. I Read Everything i could find on his accomplishments, and they were vast. What a legacy. At first glance the site wasnt or didnt seem great. Surrounded by traffic and Office Buildin buildings. But that was it. With the help of many, starting with words of encouragement and the eisenhower commission, led by the indomitable senator pat roberts we got it done. There were sensitivities for sure expressed by many, including the eisenhower family. We listened to all and the result was better. For my life, this is one of my proudest moments. I only regret i couldnt be there with you. Please welcome the president s own United States marine band and their rendition of song of the marching man and arrangement performed by the band at both the 1953 and 1957 inaugurations for president eisenhower. The president s own marine band sounds good in any weather tonight evecht literally would not be possible without our next speaker. U. S. Senator pat roberts is a native kansan and has been with the Eisenhower Memorial Commission since its inception in 2001. As the senior u. S. Senator of ikes home state, it is only fitting that senator roberts join the effort to build a memorial to honor one of kansass favorite sons when he took on the role of chairman in 2015. Throughout his life, the senator has devoted himself to the citizens of kansas. On a National Level has been a congressional leader in the sectors of agriculture, health care, and defense. But most importantly senator roberts is a man of character and that is best shown through his ability to balance his lifelong career as a Public Servant along with a steady devotion to his family. Together he and his wife of over 50 years, frankie, who is joining the senator tonight have three children and seven grandchildren. We are grateful for his service to our country, for his leadership with the eisenhower commission, and for being here to speak with us tonight live, rain or no rain. I present to you senator pat roberts. Thank you, bret. As an eisenhower author i know you share enthusiasm for the legacy and i appreciate it so much. As bret pointed out, this is dday and i said at the 101st, okay, lets go, so here we go. Greetings to all of our guests here tonight and for those of you watching. Now we wish we could all be together in person to celebrate the completion of this magnificent memorial. However, the legacy of dwight d. Eisenhower cannot be constrained by the size of the crowd because it is reflected in the freedoms that we live every day in america. The memorial designer frank gehry and his partners are unfortunately unable to join us tonight. But if the pandemic has taught us anything, its that you dont have to be in the same place together. So frank, i know you and your team are watching. The brilliance of this memorial will reverberate around the world and lift the legacy of Dwight Eisenhower to unending global audiences. Tonight as we dedicate this memorial, we stand on the shoulder of some giants who made it possible. Senators ted stevens, dan inouye, fred cochran, my favorite, senator murkowski who kept this whole effort alive through her great support. At any rate, we couldnt have done this without, you lisa, and i appreciate it. I also want to thank my fellow commissioners, already done by sir michael, who allowed us to support the business in a bipartisan way truly in the image of the man we honored tonight. I want to thank one commissioner in particular. Hes already been thanked and deservedly so, and thais bob dole, a man who fought bravely on the battlefields of italy under ikes command, although gravely wounded he fought both he fought his way back to both health and strength and a wonderful career in the United States senate. He applied that same tenacity of spirit to fundraising on behalf of this memorial because of his tireless efforts the remaining heroes of the greatest generation can now come here and finally, finally, salute their commanding officer. Needless to say we would not be here today without the guiding influence of the eisenhower family. I would like to recognize now David Eisenhower and his wife julie nixon eisenhower, who are with us tonight. David, please stand. I cant see you, but hopefully others will. Thank you for coming. David is a renowned author in his own right. David and susan, mary jean, because of your valued input, we have a fitting memorial to your beloved grandfather. Now, we persevered and then we persevered, and then we persevered, and then we got it right. Wow. Thank you so the eisenhower family. I want to thank our donors, some of whom are here tonight. Because of you this memorial is complete. Donations come in all sizes, and we are grateful for every one of them. I would like to extend a special recognition for one donor in particular, a teacher at Navarre Elementary School in east toledo, ohio. Back in 2012 in honor of veterans day they pitched in there quarters and nickels and dimes and pennies, sent them to washington so they could support this memorial to ike. Rob robin, would you please stand so we can thank you for teaching Young Americans about the importance of giving back to their community and country as well as their heritage. Thank you. Well, as a senator, i only say youre only as good as your staff. That certainly applies to this project. The entire Commission Staff spearheaded by general, victoria tigwell loudest applause of the night deserve our heartfelt thanks and unwavering focus on building with memorial. Carl, queen victoria, dan, ed, shannon, trace, joyce, chris, we thank you. And from my own staff im going to take a little license here, there are two women in particular i would like to thank, one of whom has been with me, worked with me during the long years of preserving the opportunity to have this memorial. Its not easy going to the house appropriators and going in on one knee being a senator but thats what we had to do. The other shares equally in the success of bringing this memorial to fruition. Amber and jackie, thank you for your creative thinking, your loyalty and your diligence. Ladies and gentlemen, i have just been told right now that we have a message coming from cyber space. Right now i direct your attention to the monitors, please. Good evening, senator roberts and honored guests. Im nasa astronaut Chris Cassidy commander of International Space station orbiting 260 miles above earth. Along with nasa administrator im honored to join you in celebrating the memorial dedication of 34th president dwight d. Eisenhower. Under president eisenhowers leadership america created nasa which brought our nation to the forefront of space exploration. President eisenhower understood what nasa could do for america as he provided the vision for the Amazing Things we do in human and Robotic Exploration today, which benefit all human kind back on earth. President eisenhowers voice on the first broadcast in 1958 was the beginning of what is now part of our daytoday life as we approach the 20th anniversary of a permanent human presence right here on the International Space station. Senator roberts, i congratulate the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and this dedication as a lasting tribute to a Great American hero, a patriot, and a president. All the best to you from us on the International Space station. Take care. Thank you Chris Cassidy and the team at nasa for making that possible, yet another eisenhower achievement. Now, before the pandemic, the dedication was to be on may 8th, the 75th anniversary of ve day, certainly an anniversary with worldwide significance. But i want you to know that today, september 17, is an anniversary of Truly American origins. On this day in 1787 after debate and compromise our constitution was finally signed in philadelphia. Later it also became as citizenship day. Might want to try that again. What would ikes message about citizenship be to us now. Duty before country was eisenhowers creed. In his reflections on the first day of west point he said when we raised our righthands and repeated the official oath, a feeling came over me that the expression the United States of america would now and henceforth mean Something Different than it ever had before. From here on it would be the nation i would be serving, not myself. Eisenhower saw the promise that america holds for everyone and reciprocal responsibility to serve the country that offers so much. As he said in his first inaugural address, it is the firm duty of each of our free citizens to place the cause of his country before the comfort and convenience of himself. Putting his country before himself meant many things in eisenhowers life. It meant moving from place to place, often to other countries. It frequently meant leaving his family behind. It meant bearing the responsibility to send hundreds of thousands of sailors, soldiers, and airmen into peril. It meant sacrifice as we see reflected in soldiers from 101st airborne as they listened to their commander on the eve of dday. Okay. Lets go. In this memorial we see the coming of age of eisenhower and america embodied in the dreams of a young man. Just as eisenhower left abilene at 20 to go to west point, and later selected to be the supreme allied commander during world war ii, and then president of the United States, america, too, was transitioning from Humble Beginnings to Global Leadership and ike led the way. The legacy of america can be seen in the tapestry of point hawk in peace time, normandy in peace, a symbol of the sacrifice made there to liberate europe and secure freedom from nazi ter any, saving western democracy. Memorials act as historical touch stones. They are the intersection of memories and history. They are meant to inspire contemplation and reflection about events and people like eisenhower, who shaped our history profoundly. I hope this memorial not only makes us more aware of eisenhowers accomplishments and where we would be as a nation or World Without him, without his vision and leadership, but even more importantly i hope it causes us to reflect on where we are today and what we are as individuals and a society and what we can do to change the course of a nation and the world. It is incumbent upon us to learn from the past that applies those principles to our circumstances today to build on the foundation eisenhower desperately fought to protect and secure. This memorial teaches us that through all of the darkness there is light. This memorial comes exactly the right time to provide some light at our troubling times. As we look to the entrance of the memorial im pointing at it we see the hopes of all young men, and we see that teenager boy from the small town of kansas, abilene, looking back at us, and we see the hopes of all young men and women as they imagine their future and reminder that we still have within us our own dreams and liberty and freedom to make it possible for us to find our way to pursue those hopes and dreams and to seize the opportunities before us. Eisenhower understood that in a country where destiny is determined not by ones position at birth but rather strength of character and determination of spirit, that dreams do come true. Eisenhower understood the personal ability to charge his or her own course and change the course of the world. That american story, the story of a young boy from abilene, again is celebrated at the entrance of this memorial. For me for me as a small town kansas boy, i never dreamed never dreamed i would one day dedicate a memorial to kansas favorite son, dwight David Eisenhower. It is with wonder in my heart that i stand here near the statues of eisenhower as general and president with tower cliff. Point hawk, i marvel at what he left us. Life in a small town is not easy. The rewards come from a community of people who know your name, who know your parents name, and your teachers name. If you fall down a few rungs on the ladder, theres somebody to help you back. No wonder that dwight d. Eisenhower declare the proudest thing i can claim is that i am from abilene. In closing, i take you back to the moment just before eisenhower address. He asked the crowd for the privilege of offering a prayer of his own. I share some of that with you now. Almighty god give us as we pray the power to discern clearly right from wrong and allow all of our words and actions to be governed there by. By the laws of this land especially we pray that our concern shall be for all people regardless of station, race, or calling. May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those under the concepts of our constitution, different political face, so we all may work for the good of our country and glory. Amen. May the United States of america mean something more to each of us because of eisenhowers legacy and reflections at this memorial. Thank you. Announcer please welcome former secretary of state and National Security adviser condoleezza rice. Hello. Im so grateful to have this opportunity to participate, even if virtually, in the long overdue establishment of a memorial to our 34th president , dwight d. Eisenhower. To my good friend senator pat roberts, thank you for your leadership in bringing us to this day. And to my friend susan and the entire eisenhower family, thank you for allowing me to participate. Dwight d. Eisenhower was president of the United States when i was born. I dont, of course, personally remember many of the events of his presidency. But ive always had a real sense of connection to him. And not just by the accident of the timing of my birth and his tenure. As a young girl growing up in birmingham, alabama he was a hero to those who like my parents and their friends sought and desired so much, just to be treated as first class citizens in america. They sought justice. And they saw in president eisenhower a leader who sought justice too. My father cast his first vote as a republican for dwight d. Eisenhower, and he did so with pride. And i can remember that he thought president eisenhower would make a difference. And make a difference he did. Perhaps none of us will ever forget that it was president eisenhower that protected young black children as they tried finally to deliver on the Supreme Court decision of brown versus the board of education and to integrate segregated schools in little rock, arkansas. That was an act befitting a leader. Dwight d. Eisenhower was a leader. And then of course the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which would create a u. S. Commission on civil rights and the Civil Rights Division of the justice department. And ultimately it would lay the ground work for the landmark civil rights legislation of 1964 and 1965. As a student and practitioner of International Politics i also felt a connection to president eisenhower who stood as a giant. The last general to serve as our president. I always believed that he ended the korean war because it was the right thing to do. And also as a soldier, he knew the cost of war. Better than most civilians could ever. And yet he knew that it was not just a matter of ending wars. It was a matter of establishing a just peace throughout the world. And therefore, his administrations National Security strategy, which would really, throughout the cold war, until its end, guide our policy at facing down the threats of communism in europe and in asia. When i had the opportunity as a young staff member at the National Security council in 1989 to 1991 to be a part of the team that finally got to deliver on that promise, the liberation of eastern europe, the unification of germany and finally the peaceful collapse of the soviet union, i always tried to take a minute to remember truman and eisenhower and all of those whod made it possible. And then of course in the middle east. President eisenhower would become associated with the eisenhower doctrine. Which sought to allow america to become a beacon and a shield for those facing aggression in the middle east. I was also attracted to this president because he was a Public Servant. In fact, the quintessential Public Servant. Like a general more than a century and a half before him, george washington, president eisenhower didnt seek political life. It sought him. It was a time when our country was emerging onto the world stage as a dominant force for peace and prosperity and freedom. But a time, too, when new dangers were rising in europe, asia and the middle east. He let us and the alliances that he built, particularly nato where he was the first salespeople allied commander. To accept those responsibilities with strength and with will, and also our values solidly at the center of what we did. At this point i would be remiss if i didnt mention one other connection to president eisenhower. He loved that infuriating, frustrating game called golf, and so do i. As i look out of the our country today, the civil strife, economic and health challenges, questions about who we are and who we want to be, we would do well to remember the legacy of eisenhower. Not just for what he did. But for who he was. Call to service, he served. With humility and integrity and love of country. He knew that democracy is not a spectator sport and though politics was not his chosen profession he answered the call and made america better as a result. That is what we commemorate today. This soldier statesman who would lead the alliance to wartime victory, and help to save civilization. And then return home to lead his country and the free world through the challenges and opportunities that that victory afforded. And he would seek to right the wrongs that confronted an oppressed black citizens too. I always believed that he was motivated, in part, by having watched the service of black soldiers who were willing to pay the last full measure in love of america, even when america didnt love them. And so he honored them. And those like them. He knew that america would not be fully free until all of its people were fully free. Thank you for allowing me to reflect on the legacy of dwight d. Eisenhower. Many will come to visit this splendid place. They will be inspired. And hopefully that will be led to play a part, a personal part, in sustaining our country and making it better. President eisenhower once said we must be willing individually and as a nation to accept whatever sacrifices may be required of us. A people that values its privileges above its principles will soon lose both. Those are words to live by today. As we face the many difficult, difficult challenges here in america. Let us remember that democracy is something that we all have to own. Democracy is something that doesnt work unless every citizen is involved. And in doing so, lets remember the legacy and the example of dwight d. Eisenhower who called to serve did so with splendid results for our country. God bless you. God bless the memory of dwight d. Eisenhower. And may god continue to bless the United States of america. Thank you. Former secretary of state, National Security adviser, condoleezza rice. Here tonight as mentioned by senator roberts is president eisenhowers grandson, David Eisenhower. He is an author, a professor, and someone after my own heart, a television host, please welcome David Eisenhower. Well, thank you very much, brett, and congratulations on the book that brett wrote about Dwight Eisenhower, a very good book. Distinguished guests and speakers, congressman thompson has identified members of my family who are here tonight, my son alex, my sister marys son merrill. We have grandchildren here. My daughters are looking in tonight, their children, my sisters, their children, three generation of eisenhowers in total. So on behalf of three generations of eisenhower family, i wish to say that this is a wonderful and long awaited evening. Now, the program calls on me to tell family stories. And since its raining, and a number of speakers have drawn attention to that i will tell you our favorite family story. It is june 1954. Dr. Milton eisenhower is president of penn state. Dwight eisenhower, his brother, is president of the United States, and he is scheduled to deliver a commencement at penn state. Now, as you know, penn state is a very large university. This is an outdoor event. And with thousands gathering this is threatened by rain. Well, you can picture the scene of worry in the president s house as milton is on the phone, and he is pacing the living room. But as the story goes at one point Dwight Eisenhower remarks milton, since june 6th, 1944 i have never worried about the rain. Such was the life that Dwight Eisenhower led. He experienced acute worries and a life of boldness, decision, bravery and achievement in the service of his country. Indeed, my earliest memory of the world is being buckled into a seat aboard the columbine, general eisenhowers nato command plane of 1951. I distinctly remember grand dad boarding the plane in his army uniform, i remember the electricity in the not once did i doubt his greatness, noting his extraordinary mind and spirit, his generosity and courage. Ill also speak tonight as a former commissioner, i was a member of the original commission that gathered 20 years ago. In the 20year effort to complete the eisenhower memorial weve seen that National Memorials do not just come about. Weve learned in the process that there will always be differing opinions and controversy. And we have seen that success depends on dedicated individuals possessed of energy, single mindedness and vision. Such a person was our original commission chairman, the late rock co say sill yaw know. And tonight we remember senators ted stevens and daniel andaway, who commissioners who would not settle for anything less than a Great National memorial and senator stevens wife katherine is with us tonight and she is a commissioner and i say congratlation to her and i offer congratulations to susan harris and al gitledig, Board Members throughout this process and our deepest appreciation to senators who also served, and we salute general dell without whom there would be no memorial and it is fitting that senator pat roberts is giving a he guided this memorial across the finish line. And a very special thank you to a true hero of world war ii, senator bob dole who so proudly hails from Dwight Eisenhowers beloved kansas, thank you, senator, for the boost you provided as a commissioner. I would like to say congratulations to my sisters ann, mary and susan. And i think ann and mary would not resent it if i lent emphasis to susan. Their indispensable help, helped resolve design questions over the past several years and they played a major role in organizing support and sponsorship. In support for this memorial. And congratulations to architect frank gehry who throughout this process held fast to the fundamentals of his Design Concept which i was first privileged to see in 2007. For instance, i believe that a key message conveyed by the memorial is embodied in the statue of young Dwight Eisenhower, a feature of frank gehrys earliest designs. My feeling about that statue were confirmed at the Ground Breaking ceremony in the fall of 2017. A former student of mine, now a prominent pollster, he said to me that he felt emotional about the memorial project because of that statue. He pointed out that the eisenhower memorial would be a rare place in washington, d. C. Where young people visiting the capital would actually gaze at a statue and say thats me or thats my classmate, that is someone like me. Such people would then look beyond that statue to the panorama telling of Dwight Eisenhower and americas accomplishments in war and peace, and they will think the americans can do things like that. As we all know the question of memorialization has become an issue over the last several years. A truth, i believe, as emerged in the discussions, that memorials indeed preserve history, and they also do and must reflect our values. And so in the end, therefore, the test of a memorial is timelessness. And timelessness is something i believe has been achieved by this memorial. For i think all of us tonight can hope and pray that a time will never come when americans do not cherish the values depicted here. Hard work, bravery, optimism, steadfastness and a vision. And a time when americans do not cherish the story presented here of america at her best and most proud. Thank you very much. After their successful performance in season 14 of americas got talent, voices of service have used their platform to raise awareness of the healing power of music for servicemen and women who are coping with posttraumatic stress and other wounds of war. Here tonight to perform their rendition of battle hymn of the republic, please welcome caleb green, ron henry, crystal reems and jason hannah. Oo h ooh, ooh, ooh glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored he hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword his truth is marching on glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on his truth is marching on in addition to being president eisenhowers granddaughter, she is the founding director, first president and chairman emerita of the eisenhower institute, a think tank located in washington, d. C. And gettysburg, pennsylvania. She is also an author with a new book out this summer. Please welcome susan eisenhower. Senator pat roberts, chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, Eisenhower Memorial Commission members, and distinguished guests, its a great pleasure for me to be with you here tonight, albeit virtually. To add my voice to the many others in expressing my gratitude to all those who made the eisenhower memorial possible. Its with a heavy heart that im unable to be with you tonight. Coronavirus has upset so many plans across america, so many things that we all wanted to be able to participate in and to be present for. Unfortunately so many members of my family were unable to be with you tonight, and my siblings and i feel a deep sadness that it was not possible that we could be together. In any case, because of coronavirus regulations, and other factors, we are, though, with you in spirit. I want to make special note of the people who played such a key role. And there are many more. But i want to thank senator pat roberts for his extraordinary leadership. I want to thank robert dole for his never ending help in assuring that the eisenhower memorial be built. I want to thank, also, frank farnkoff, there were so many others, including the Memorial Commission and staff and appropriate ers who we worked with closely but i also want to make special mention of the many, many donors across our country who contributed private funds to see this become a reality. And so i want to take this opportunity, also, to stand back and think about the progress that was made on this memorial. Much has been written and discussed in the press about early controversies on this design. But theyre missing a much larger point. Its extraordinary to me that people of good will were able to come together and to talk about their differences and their various ideas for making this memorial a strong and meaningful note to Dwight Eisenhower wartime president ial leadership. I think this memorial also stands as a symbol of compromise and progress. And for that i have to thank personally secretary james baker who played such a key role, and an important part of this trajectory, making sure that we had a concept that was big enough, that would serve the purposes of history. All of these very sides coming together made this bigger and more meaningful and more monumental. I am so deeply grateful for that. It was secretary bakers idea to make the backdrop, the beaches of normandy in peacetime. Think of the wonderful significance of that, not only victory in europe, but winning the peace after the war. And i hope many of you will have a chance to visit normandy yourself to see what an iconic spot it truly is. For the last two and a half years ive been working on a book called how ike led and it was released about a month ago. In any case, i studied by grandfathers president ial career and also dipped back into his wartime leadership that informed so much of his presidency. I was astonished to see how many things i didnt know. But also to see this enormous alliance between the person i know and the person who is depicted in the history books. I was impressed by his grasp of human nature. His belief in our country. And his commitment to serve the constitution of the United States. He always put his own personal interests aside, and as a strategic leader he led as a human being with tough minded determination, to bring victory in europe and to bring our country together during a tumultuous time in our history. But he led with his hard and he also led with his heart. He was trusted by the American People and his approach to politics assured that his administration could serve all segments of american society. He held together during vast technological and social change a fractious and frightened america. This is a wonderful space, let me say in conclusion. Im thrilled about the memorial itself, about the beautiful tapestry that depicts in normandy and the extraordinary opportunity for people to come to this memorial, not just to reflect, but also to come and gather with friends. Maybe bring a sandwich and go to the museums after coming to the eisenhower memorial. It would be my idea of a great day. So in closing, none of this really would have been possible without the creativity and the patience. Yes, frank gehry, the patience of our designer frank gehry. He conceived of this remarkable tribute to Dwight Eisenhower. And his design is enhanced enormously, not only by these skrims that have never been done before, but also by the moving statues by sergei aklembayoff. In closing, let me thank everyone for their cooperation, for their willingness to compromise, for their vision of what to leave future generations about Dwight Eisenhower, and for the community we are all now part of. With many thanks, good night. Ladies and gentlemen, susan eisenhower. I want to take a moment to say that this memorial speaks for itself. But i have to put in a plug for the eisenhower president ial Library Museum and boyhood home in abilene, kansas. If you ever get the chance, take it. Ive been there, probably eight times. Its worth doing. This memorial is beautiful tonight. The moment has come at this time i would like to ask the Eisenhower Memorial Commissioners, along with David Eisenhower, and interior secretary david bern heart to come up to the front here for the official ribbon cutting. Afterwards senator roberts already some Closing Remarks and will officially hand over the key to this memorial, to secretary burnhart. Please welcome the commissioners. [ applause ] head over there, mr. Secretary. Finally, mr. Senator, pat roberts. Well, the department of interior, through the National Parks service, is entrusted to serve as the steward and guardian of our National Parks and monuments and battlefields. Each side helps to tell americas story, and it is a rich and incredible story. Thats my speech. I just read the secretarys speech. It sort of fits. Mr. Secretary, i give you the key, dedication, september 17, 2020, to the dwight d. Eisenhower memorial. Sir, ive been chairman for 21 years, and i thought this would never come. Mr. Secretary, thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, sir. You can read your speech. Well, thank you, thank you so much. I am acutely aware of i am the only thing standing between you and a roof. So let me be brief. The places we steward and protect often highlight exceptional action by incredible individuals. And that is certainly the case here at the eisenhower memorial. Tonight we come together to celebrate this dedication. It is a moment that represents years of effort by you and many others that are not gathered here tonight. The story of the thought, the conception and the effort that went into this memorial is similar to the effort that has gone in to the development of memorials throughout the d. C. Area and throughout our federal lands. Each of these memorials was carefully crafted, delicately placed on federal property. Each telling an important story. Here we have an inspirational leader who rose to an incredible challenge and led our great nation to a moment that propelled us forward. Telling stories like this are important to our national identity. Regrettably, throughout this year, we have seen that some have a different perspective. They wish to deface, destroy or remove, or reconstitute works of art, like this memorial. Some are trying to do that through criminal means. Such criminal actions will not be tolerated. Crimes will be investigated. And the penalties for prosecution are severe. Each effort to reimagine a federal memorial should undergo the same thoughtful process that led to the creation of what we celebrate here tonight. Rather than removing and revising the memorials great leaders the Trump Administration believes that we must tell more stories of exceptional actions by exceptional people, none of whom are without some flaw, but all of whom can inspire us young and old. Therefore, i humbly accept the eisenhower memorial as the 420th unit of the National Parks system. Thank you, and god bless america. Thank you, mr. Secretary. In closing, id like to thank the 177th fighter wing of the new Jersey National guard for conducting tonights flyover. It was fantastic, even in the rain. Exactly. I would also like to thank rachel mast, voices of service, the president s own marine band, the 101st Airborne Division, the west Point Alumni Glee Club for their contributions during tonights events. And ceremony. Were so proud they answered the call to participate, especially tonight. And now to conclude tonights program, voices of service will perform their renditions of abide with me, the army song and america the beautiful and will be followed by the president s own u. S. Marine band, which will close us out. It has been a real honor to be the emcee tonight. Honestly, for wishing of a process that that book took me to. Thank you very much for being here tonight. Gl god bless. And have a safe night. Abide with me fast falls the even tide the darkness deepens lord with me abide head of the helpers fail and comforts flee help of the helpless all abide with me i fear no fore wind be at hand to bless hills have no way and tis no bitterness where is deaths sting wherein thy victory i triumph still now abide with me when all the helpers fail and comfort thee help of the helpless hope abide with me march along sing a song were the army of the free count the brave count the true who have fought to victory were the army and proud of our name were the army and proudly proclaim first to fight for the right and to build the nations might and the Army Goes Rolling along proud of all we have done fighting till the battles won and the Army Goes Rolling along then its high high hay the armys on its way count off the cadence loud and strong for wherever we go you will always know that the Army Goes Rolling along that the Army Goes Rolling along oh beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain for purple mountains majesty above the fruited plain america sweet america god shed his grace on thee and he crowned thy good with sweet brotherhood from sea to shining sea America America god shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea from sea to shining sea youre watching American History tv. Every weekend on cspan3, explore our nations past. Cspan3 created by americas Cable Television companies as a Public Service and brought to you today by your television provider. Weeknights this month were featuring American History tv programs as a preview of whats available every weekend on cspan 3. Tonight charles stuart, coauthor of fighting for the speckership. He discusses the history of electing the speaker of the house in the new congress, how the process has changed since 1789 and the influence of partisanship on those changes. That starts tonight at 8 00 p. M. Eastern. Enjoy American History tv this week and every weekend on cspan3. Authorized by congress in 1999 the dwight d. Eisenhower memorial occupies a four acre park near the u. S. Capitol, across the street from the Smithsonians National air and space museum. Up next a 30minute tour of the new memorial. We talked to Philip Kennicott to learn about the debates over the design and to hear his thoughts on the architect and the completed work. Hi,