I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4745 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 3, 2010 Mr. Moore of Kansas (for himself, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Peters, Mr. Tiahrt, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Moran of Kansas, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Arcuri, Mr. Pierluisi, Mr. Jones, Mr. Thompson of California, Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Mr. Barrow, Mr. Skelton, Mr. Rangel, Ms. Jenkins, Mr. McGovern, and Mr. Filner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To award a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the recipients of assistance under the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly referred to as the GI Bill of Rights) in recognition of the great contributions such recipients made to the Nation in both their military and civilian service and the contributions of Harry W. Colmery in initiating actions which led to the enactment of that Act, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Achievements of the GI Bill Gold Medal Act.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)The life of Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kansas, was marked by exemplary service to his country. (2)Harry Colmery served the United States with distinction during World War I as a first lieutenant and pilot instructor in the Army Air Corps. (3)Upon his return, Harry Colmery remained involved in issues important to the United States Armed Forces and veterans community through the American Legion, serving as the national commander of the American Legion from 1936 to 1937. (4)In 1943, the United States faced an unprecedented number of servicemen and women returning from World War II to civilian life, more than 15,000,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. (5)Harry Colmery, and others with the American Legion, helped spearhead efforts to ensure that government programs were in place to ensure that these members of the United States Armed Forces would face an easy transition back to civilian life. (6)During a December 1943 emergency meeting of American Legion leadership to address these concerns at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, Harry Colmery crafted the initial draft of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the GI Bill of Rights. (7)This pioneering piece of legislation sought to help GIs buy homes, start businesses, and attend college or technical school upon their return from World War II. (8)Due to Harry Colmery’s advocacy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill of Rights into law on June 22, 1944. (9)In the decade following World War II, more than 2,000,000 eligible men and women went to college using the GI Bill of Rights, and another 5,000,000 received other schooling or job training under the GI Bill. (10)From 1944 to 1952, the Veterans Administration backed nearly 2,400,000 home loans for World War II veterans due to the GI Bill of Rights. (11)The GI Bill of Rights has been heralded as one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever produced by the Federal Government, one that has impacted the United States socially, economically, and politically.

3.

Congressional gold medal

(a)

Presentation authorized

The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design in honor of the recipients of assistance under the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly referred to as the GI Bill of Rights), in recognition of the great contributions such recipients made to the Nation in both their military and civilian service and the contributions of Harry W. Colmery in initiating actions which led to the enactment of that Act. (b)

Design and striking

(1)

In general

For purposes of the presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the Secretary) shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary. (2)

Obverse and reverse

The obverse of the gold medal shall bear the image of Harry W. Colmery and the reverse shall bear a design emblematic of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 and the achievements of the recipients of assistance under such Act. (c)

Smithsonian Institution

(1)

In general

Following the award of the gold medal in honor of the recipients of assistance under the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be available for display as appropriate and made available for research. (2)

Sense of the Congress

It is the sense of the Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received under paragraph (1) available for display elsewhere, particularly at other appropriate locations selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of Education.

4.

Duplicate medals

The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 2 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.

5.

Status of medals

(a)

National medals

The medals struck under this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code. (b)

Numismatic items

For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, Unites States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

6.

Authority to use fund amounts; proceeds of sale

(a)

Authority To use fund amounts

There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals stuck pursuant to this Act. (b)

Proceeds of sale

Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 3 shall be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.