WASHINGTON — A memorial to President Dwight D. Eisenhower got the final stamp of approval from a federal agency Thursday, setting the stage for what supporters hope will be a fitting monument to the nation’s 34th president.

The National Capital Planning Commission voted 9-1 in favor of the retooled design by famed architect Frank Gehry.

Last month, another approving agency, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, also signed off on the plans by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission for the design to be built on the National Mall.

Former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., was a surprise commentator during public comments made during the planning commission’s consideration of the memorial. Dole’s counsel, Marion Watkins, read a statement from the former Senate majority leader, who is also a World War II veteran. Eisenhower was born in Texas but moved to Abilene, Kan., as an infant and is considered a “son of Kansas.”

“During World War II, I proudly served my country in the 10th Mountain Division, under Ike’s leadership,” said Dole, 91, who was wounded in Italy in 1945 and took 39 months to recover.

“Ike was our hero,” he continued. “It’s now 70 years later. I want the country I fought for to honor Ike now. It’s past time that Ike be memorialized and that the Eisenhower Memorial be approved.”

Dole’s imprimatur is a boost to the memorial’s chances, especially since he was a very high-profile supporter of the National World War II Memorial, which opened on the National Mall in 2004.

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