[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 104 (Thursday, June 20, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 20--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
   THE PRESIDENT SHOULD POSTHUMOUSLY AWARD THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF 
                      FREEDOM TO HARRY W. COLMERY

  Mr. MORAN (for himself and Mr. Roberts) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 20

       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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