Other Highlights From The Centennial

Many events were planned in many countries to celebrate the Centennial in 1990, and the Dole Archives has items from some of them, including a speech that Senator Dole gave in Abilene, Kansas, and a plaque from the Netherlands.

Event List: "Centennial Highlights"

During 1990, various events were held in 14 countries to celebrate the Centennial. This list highlights some of the major events.

Plaque Commerating Dutch-American Friendship Day

Three separate metal sections: top is an eagle with the American flag center, the Netherlands Flag left to center and the Limburg flag to the right; second section reads "Nederland Amerika Instituut Limburg,"; third is name plate, Chairman Eisenhower Centennial Commision, Dutch-American Friendship Day.

"Dear Colleague" Letter About Eisenhower Day

This "Dear Colleague" letter – signed by Senators Bob Dole, John McCain, Robert Byrd, Nancy Kassebaum, and others – informs Senators of the Eisenhower Commemorative Act and the upcoming Joint Session of Congress. The Eisenhower Commemorative Act is a Senate Resolution that established October 14, 1990, as "Dwight David Eisenhower Day."

Presidential Proclamation: Dwight D. Eisenhower Day

A copy of the Presidential Proclamation, signed by President George H.W. Bush, designating October 14, 1990, as "Dwight D. Eisenhower Day."

Statement of Senator Bob Dole on Renaming the Interstate Highway System

This document is the copy Senator Dole used for his floor speech on June 28, 1990, to lend support for the bill proposing the renaming of the Interstate Highway System, "The Dwight D. Eisenhower Interstate Highway System."

Senator Dole states that, "President Eisenhower was, after all, the driving force behind the creation of the Interstate Highway System. With the completion of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways scheduled for next year, and Ike’s Centennial this year, I believe this to be a fitting tribute to our nation’s 34th President."

Dole’s Speech at Centennial Celebration at Abilene, Kansas

An advance copy of Senator Dole’s speech that he gave at the Centennial celebration at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas on October 14, 1990. In it Dole says, "In life, Dwight Eisenhower gave us leadership; in memory he inspires us to lead. If we really wish to honor the Man from Abilene on this, the centennial of his birth, we won’t just quote his words. We will follow his example. We will make the hard choices; we will accept the obligations of leadership. And then Ike’s greatest memorial will be an America as strong economically and spiritually as she is militarily."