[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 257 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 257
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 7, 2004
Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously
award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery.
Whereas the life of Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kansas, was marked by service to
his country and its citizens;
Whereas Harry Colmery earned a degree in law in 1916 from the University of
Pittsburgh and, through his practice of law, contributed to the Nation,
notably by successfully arguing two significant cases before the United
States
Supreme Court, one criminal, the other an environmental legal dispute;
Whereas during World War I, Harry Colmery joined the Army Air Service, serving
as a first lieutenant at a time when military aviation was in its
infancy;
Whereas after World War I, Harry Colmery actively contributed to the growth of
the newly formed American Legion and went on to hold several offices in
the Legion and was elected National Commander in 1936;
Whereas in 1943, the United States faced the return from World War II of what
was to become an active duty force of 15,000,000 soldiers, sailors,
airmen, and Marines;
Whereas Harry Colmery, recognizing the potential effect of the return of such a
large number of veterans to civilian life, spearheaded the efforts of
the American Legion to develop legislation seeking to ensure that these
Americans who had fought for the democratic ideals of the Nation and to
preserve freedom would be able to fully participate in all of the
opportunities the Nation provided;
Whereas in December 1943, during an emergency meeting of the American Legion
leadership, Harry Colmery crafted the initial draft of the legislation
that became the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the
GI Bill of Rights;
Whereas the GI Bill of Rights is credited by veterans' service organizations,
economists, and historians as the engine that transformed postwar
America into a more egalitarian, prosperous, and enlightened Nation
poised to lead the world into the 21st century;
Whereas since its enactment, the GI Bill of Rights has provided education or
training for approximately 7,800,000 men and women, including 2,200,000
in college, 3,400,000 in other schools, 1,400,000 in vocational
education, and 690,000 in farm training and, in addition, 2,100,000
World War II veterans purchased homes through the GI Bill;
Whereas as a result of the benefits available to veterans through the initial GI
Bill, the Nation gained over 800,000 professionals as the GI Bill
transformed these veterans into 450,000 engineers, 238,000 teachers,
91,000 scientists, 67,000 doctors, and 22,000 dentists;
Whereas President Truman established the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1945
to recognize notable service during war and in 1963, President Kennedy
reinstated the medal to honor the achievement of civilians during
peacetime;
Whereas pursuant to Executive Order No. 11085, the Medal of Freedom may be
awarded to any person who has made an especially meritorious
contribution to ``(1) the security or national interest of the United
States, or (2) world peace, or (3) other significant public or private
endeavors''; and
Whereas Harry Colmery, noted for his service in the military, in the legal
sector, and on behalf of the Nation's veterans, clearly meets the
criteria established for the Presidential Medal of Freedom: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That it is the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously
award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery of Topeka,
Kansas.
Passed the House of Representatives July 6, 2004.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.