A release from the Eisenhower Memorial Commission:

UPDATE ON PROGRESS AT THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL COMMISSION

The Eisenhower Memorial Commission has recently taken a big step toward creating a permanent national memorial to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Earlier this week, Congress passed Joint Resolution 28, a resolution granting permission to create an Eisenhower Memorial within the boundaries of "Area I." Area I is an area of Washington, DC reserved for memorials whose subjects are of pre-eminent historical and lasting significance.

On February 2, 2006, the Secretary of the Interior and the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission recommended to Congress that the Eisenhower Memorial be allowed to locate within Area I. On April 4, 2006, the Senate passed by unanimous consent a resolution to approve the recommendation. On April 25, 2006, the House of Representatives unanimously approved this resolution by a vote of 411-0.

The effort to pass this legislation was completely bipartisan and was supported by the entire Kansas delegation, as well as a number of World War II veterans, including the Commission Chairman, Rocco Siciliano, the Commission Vice Chairman, Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), and the Commission's senior Republican, Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK).

The Commission selected a preferred site in June 2005 that is partially located in Area I. Now that Area I location is approved, the Commission can move forward with the site approval process, including presentations to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts.

The Eisenhower Memorial Commission is very pleased with the swift passage of this measure and appreciates the work of everyone who made it happen.

Please share your thoughts and ideas on our continuing progress. Contact us by e-mail at info@eisenhowermemorial.org or call (202) 296-0004.