Kevin Roberts: “I wish to recognize an exceptional President and a true friend to the United States who cherishes that President's…”

“I wish to recognize an exceptional President and a true friend to the United States who cherishes that President's memory. Those of us from the great State of Kansas are justly proud of Dwight David Eisenhower, fondly known as ``Ike'' to his Abilene neighbors. The Republic of China, Taiwan, calls him a loyal friend. In 1911, Eisenhower left his boyhood home in Kansas for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. During World War II, Eisenhower was in charge of plans in the Pacific War and commanding general of the Army's European Theater. On June 6, 1944, General Eisenhower led the D-day invasion on the beaches of Normandy and liberated Europe. During this time, Taiwan stood as our ally in Asia, with the Flying Tigers in the Doolittle Raid and along the Burma Road. In 1951, President Truman asked Eisenhower to become the first Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. After a long and decorated military career, America's voters said, ``I like Ike,'' by overwhelmingly electing him as the 34th President of the United States in 1952. Today, it is my privilege to serve as Chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. Because this memorial honors a Kansan, a war hero, and a President the world admires, our good friend and partner, the government and people of the Republic of China, has generously made a gift to ensure the memory of Dwight D. Eisenhower is preserved for generations to come.…”