ENABLING LEGISLATION AND FORMATION OF
THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL COMMISSION

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission was created on October 25, 1999 (Public Law 106-79) as a result of legislation sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R/Alaska), joined by Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D/Hawaii) and approved by President William J. Clinton. The Commission is charged with memorializing Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe in World War II and subsequently as the 34th President of the United States.

The law states that “ . . . an appropriate permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower should be created to perpetuate his memory and his contributions to the United States,” and further directs that the “Commission shall consider and formulate plans for such a permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower, including its nature, design, construction and location.”

Read the full text of (Public Law 106-79 as revised by 107-117)

The Commission consists of twelve members:

Four members appointed by the President:

• D. David Eisenhower (Berwyn, PA),
• Alfred Geduldig (New York, NY),
• Susan Banes Harris (Potomac, MD) and
• Rocco C. Siciliano (Beverly Hills, CA)

Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

• Leonard L. Boswell (D/Iowa),
• Dennis Moore (D/Kansas),
• Jerry Moran (R/Kansas) and
• William (Mac) Thornberry (R/Texas)

Four members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate:

• Daniel K. Inouye (D/Hawaii),
• Jack Reed (D/Rhode Island),
• Pat Roberts (R/Kansas) and
• Ted Stevens (R/Alaska)

Rocco C. Siciliano, a World War II combat decorated infantry veteran who served as Special Assistant to President Eisenhower, was selected as Chairman. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient for valor, was selected as Vice Chairman.