Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1885-1945) was the only man ever elected to four terms as President of the United States. He also holds the distinction of being the only President with a mobility impairment which required him to wear heavy leg braces and to use a wheelchair or support in order to move. When he entered office in 1933, the Great Depression was at its height; when he died of a stroke a few weeks into his fourth term, World War II was coming to a close.

Roosevelt was famous for his "Alphabet Soup" agencies which were created to put Americans back to work on projects which improved the environment and created literature and art and enhanced the quality of life for all Americans. Some of the contributions of these agencies are represented on the five bronze columns and corresponding reliefs which appear in the room representing the third term.

Also honored at the memorial are First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and the President's Scottish terrier, Fala.