[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 257 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 257

Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously 
      award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 24, 2003

 Mr. Ryun of Kansas (for himself, Mr. Tiahrt, Mr. Moran of Kansas, Mr. 
Evans, and Mr. Smith of New Jersey) submitted the following concurrent 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         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.
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