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112th Congress Hearing Archives

Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Oversight Hearing on the "Proposed Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial"

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 | 10:00 AM 1334 Longworth House Office Building
Subcommittee of National Parks, Forests and Public Lands

SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS AND PUBLIC LANDS
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
10:00 a.m.





OVERSIGHT HEARING ON:

  • "Proposed Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial"

WITNESSES AND TESTIMONY:

Panel I

The Honorable Leonard L. Boswell, D-IA
Member of Congress

Panel II

Susan Eisenhower
Representing the Eisenhower family
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Stephen E. Whitesell
Regional Director, National Capital Region
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

William J. Guerin
Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Construction Programs
Public Buildings Service
U.S. General Services Administration

Brig. Gen. Carl W. Reddel, USAF (Ret.)
Executive Director
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Howard Segermark
Chairman Emeritus, Director
National Civic Art Society
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Rodney Mims Cook, Jr.
President
National Monuments Foundation
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Bruce Cole
Past Chairman
National Endowment for the Humanities
(Truth in Testimony Form)

BACKGROUND:

The Eisenhower Memorial Commission was established in 1999 by Public Law 106-79 to establish “an appropriate permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower...to perpetuate his memory and his contributions to the United States.” Several criticisms of have arisen in recent months with the release of memorial design. Some of the concerns are over the design itself and whether or not it appropriately commemorates President Eisenhower. Notably, the descendents of President Eisenhower are united in opposition to the current design. There is also a question of whether the memorial itself is durable and lasting, or if it will require significant repair and maintenance work as it will be outdoors in a harsh climate. Even the selection of the architect, Frank Gehry, has now come under scrutiny with complaints that there was not a fair selection process. Unlike recent National Mall projects, this memorial is being funded through federal appropriations. $62 million has already been appropriated and the commission is asking for an additional $60 million to complete the project.