WASHINGTON–The Eisenhower Memorial Commission (EMC) today announced that the Honorable Matthew A. Schlapp has joined the Commission’s Advisory Committee. The committee consists of a number of distinguished Americans, all of whom are dedicated to ensuring that the National Eisenhower Memorial is constructed in Washington, DC.
Schlapp has been a prominent advisor in Republican politics, serving as White House Political Director to George W. Bush during the 2004 cycle, and as a Regional Political Director during his 2000 presidential campaign. In 2014, he was unanimously elected Chairman of the American Conservative Union, which hosts CPAC annually and is the nation’s oldest grassroots conservative organization.
Schlapp is immensely proud of his deep Kansas roots. He grew up in Wichita and
received a master of public administration degree from Wichita State University
after he graduated from the University of Notre Dame. He worked as chief of staff
for former Republican Congressman Todd Tiahrt, Wichita, and led the federal operations for Kansas’s largest company.
All of his siblings reside in Wichita, where his mother once served as vice-mayor.
Schlapp is especially proud that during his tenure as a congressional staffer he helped Todd Tiahrt begin the process that successfully placed a statue of General Eisenhower in the Capitol Rotunda, and assisted Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School in its noble effort to have Chaplain Emil Kapaun, a Kansas priest and POW killed during the Korean War, properly honored with the Medal of Honor.
Schlapp stated, “As a Kansan, and a great admirer of President Eisenhower, it’s
an honor to join my good friend, Senator Pat Roberts, in working to ensure that
the memorial honoring the life and legacy of President Eisenhower is completed
in a way that befits this great leader, warrior, and patriot. Senator Roberts, our
fellow Kansans, and I want the world to always remember that the freedoms we
enjoy today would not be possible without President Eisenhower’s lifetime of
service to our nation.”
Matt and his wife Mercy Viana Schlapp founded Cove Strategies, a legislative,
communications and political consulting firm based in Alexandria, Virginia.
Schlapp sits on a number of corporate and non-profit boards, including The Hugo
Wall School at Wichita State University, The University of Kansas Washington
Intern Program, 60Plus Foundation, Voter Gravity and the American
Conservative Union. He is also an Emeritus Board Member of St. John Vianney
Theological Seminary in Denver, the National Association of Manufacturers and
the U.S. Chamber Political Affairs Committee.
The Schlapps have five young daughters and are members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. Schlapp is also a member of the Knights of Malta.
EMC Chairman Senator Pat Roberts, (R-KS) commented, “Matt Schlapp is a smart,
dynamic Kansan who knows how to get the job done. He will bring further energy
and dedication to the Eisenhower Memorial effort and we all look forward to
working with him.”