Roberts taps Dole to Lead Ike Memorial fundraising | McClatchy Washington Bureau

In a move to jumpstart the construction of the Eisenhower Memorial, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, announced today that former Kanas Sen. Bob Dole will lead fundraising for the delayed project.

Roberts, who earlier this year became the chairman of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, announced that Dole, 92, will be the Finance Chairman of the Campaign for the Eisenhower Memorial. Congress has cut back funding for the controversial Washington tribute to the nation’s 34th president from Kansas who was the Supreme Allied Commander in World War II. For the last two years lawmakers unhappy with the design with the support of the Eisenhower family have eliminated construction funding altogether.

Dole, a World War II veteran who led the fundraising drive for the National World War II Memorial, will spearhad private fundraising for the Eisenhower Memorial.

“Bob Dole has been tireless in his support of the Eisenhower National Memorial,” said Roberts in a statement. “His passionate belief that the memorial should be constructed before Ike’s troops are gone has struck a chord in the hearts of all Americans. With this same enthusiasm and commitment, he led the effort to fund the National World War II Memorial over a decade ago, raising over $170 million from individuals, businesses and organizations.”

Dole said in a statement: “Ike’s memorial is a unique partnership in which private donations will supplement the federal funds traditionally appropriated for national presidential memorials. . . I want the country I fought for -- the country that has benefitted from Ike’s leadership, resolve and vision — to honor Ike. Now. There are about a million of us left who served in World War II. That’s a million American heroes who revere Ike and want to honor him before we are gone.”