WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) on Thursday spoke on the Senate floor in recognition of General Dwight David Eisenhower, “Kansas’s favorite son, America’s greatest war time general, and peace time president,” ahead of the 71st anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Senator Roberts was named chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission in April 2015.
Watch Senator Roberts’ remarks here
“This Saturday will be the 71st anniversary of one of the greatest days in history – D-Day, June 6, 1944 – the day that led to Allied victory in Europe in World War II, the preservation of Western democracy and freedom for generations to come,” said Roberts. “Few days in history belong to individuals, but this day, D-Day, belongs to Ike. He came to this day, which forever established his place in history as a soldier, as a Kansan, and most of all as an American.”
Roberts’ full remarks, as prepared, are below:
“This Saturday will be the 71st anniversary of one of the greatest days in history – D-Day, June 6, 1944 – the day that led to Allied victory in Europe in World War II, the preservation of Western democracy and freedom for generations to come. Few days in history belong to individuals, but this day, D-Day, belongs to Ike. He came to this day, which forever established his place in history as a soldier, as a Kansan, and most of all as an American.
“I come to the floor today as a Senator, as a Marine, and as Ike’s fellow Kansan. Most of all, I come to share Ike with my fellow Americans.
“There are days in history that change nations and the course of history itself. D-Day, January 6, 1944, was one of those days. The events growing out of that day changed the course of millions of lives, of Western civilization, and led to victory over a ruthless tyranny totally dedicated to destroying democracy.
“The sacrifices and human losses were immense. Several weeks ago, on May 8, the whole of Europe – from Amsterdam to Moscow – was not only celebrating European victory in World War II but also remembering the special sacrifices of the brave young Americans who made victory possible when it seemed impossible, especially in June 1944, when the whole of Europe and much of Russia was under the Nazi boot.
“These cataclysmic events were set in motion on D-Day by the heroic decision-making of one man, a Kansan from modest origins and humble roots – Dwight David Eisenhower – who at the direction of the President of the United States carried individually the sole responsibility of supreme command of all allied forces in Europe in World War II.
“The decision to launch the invasion was his alone, and the risk of failure was enormous, with huge human losses assured for America and all of its allies.
“Ike’s decision proved correct and was followed by the greatest demonstration of military coalition leadership ever seen in history, before or since D-Day. This brilliant leadership by Eisenhower led to victory in Europe in 1945, followed by the defeat of Japan.
“Ike never let his gigantic role in history push his ego ahead of modesty, common sense, and humility. As he famously said in 1945, “Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends.” Ike’s transcending humanity won not only his fellow citizens’ respect but also their affection. Indeed, he won the respect and affection of much of the world, and he is celebrated internationally to this very day.
“Currently, I am privileged to serve as the Chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. Two giants of the United States Senate brought me to this role. Congressional Medal of Honor winner Dan Inouye and U. S. Army pilot Ted Stevens, both combat-decorated World War II veterans who decided Ike, both as General and as President, should be nationally memorialized. They drafted me for service. They decided and convinced the Congress that General and President Eisenhower should be nationally celebrated. And the day it all began was D-Day.
“Senator Inouye from Hawaii and Senator Stevens from Alaska knew that Ike represented more than Kansas. He represented America in a way that spoke to the world. His identity was simple, basic and convincing. As he spoke in 1945 to the British fathers and mothers of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who had died under his command, “I am not a native of this land. I come from the very heart of America.”
“Mr. President, for these reasons, and many other unspoken ones, I ask all of my colleagues and fellow Americans to join me in saying “I Still Like Ike.”
“Now is the time to complete a lasting tribute to Kansas’s favorite son, America’s greatest war time General and peace time President, General Dwight David Eisenhower.”
The Eisenhower Memorial Commission was created to “complete a National Memorial to honor Dwight D. Eisenhower and inspire future generations with his devotion to public service, leadership, integrity, life-long work ethic, and his total devotion to the values and processes of democracy.” For more on the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, go here.