[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 20 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 20

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 20, 2019

    Mr. Moran (for himself and Mr. Roberts) submitted the following 
   concurrent resolution; which was 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 
        the United States and its citizens;
Whereas in 1916, Harry Colmery earned a degree in law from the University of 
        Pittsburgh and successfully argued 2 significant cases before the 
        Supreme Court of the United States;
Whereas during World War I, Harry Colmery joined the Army Air Service, serving 
        as a first lieutenant during the early stages of military aviation;
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 spearheaded the efforts of the American Legion to develop 
        legislation to ensure that these individuals, who had fought for the 
        democratic ideals of the United States and to preserve freedom, could 
        fully participate in all of the opportunities the United States 
        provided;
Whereas in December 1943, during an emergency meeting of the American Legion 
        leadership, Harry Colmery initially drafted 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 the postwar 
        United States 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 individuals, including 2,200,000 in 
        college, 3,400,000 in other schools, 1,400,000 in vocational education, 
        and 690,000 in farm training;
Whereas 2,100,000 World War II veterans purchased homes through the GI Bill;
Whereas the initial GI Bill has provided education and training to over 800,000 
        professionals that serve the Nation in specific career fields, including 
        450,000 engineers, 238,000 teachers, 91,000 scientists, 67,000 doctors, 
        and 22,000 dentists;
Whereas in 1945, President Truman established the Presidential Medal of Freedom 
        to recognize notable service during the war, and in 1963, President 
        Kennedy reinstated the medal to honor the achievement of civilians 
        during peacetime;
Whereas pursuant to Executive Order 11085 (27 Fed. Reg. 1759), the President may 
        award the Medal of Freedom to any person who has made an especially 
        meritorious contribution to--

    (1) the security or national interest of the United States;

    (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 veterans of the Nation, meets the criteria 
        established for the Presidential Medal of Freedom: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 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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