[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 14290-14293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE PRESIDENT POSTHUMOUSLY AWARD 
         THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO HARRY W. COLMERY

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 257) expressing the 
sense of Congress that the President should posthumously award the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 257

       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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from

[[Page 14291]]

Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 
257.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer my support for House Concurrent 
Resolution 257. This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that 
the President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom to Harry W. Colmery.
  Mr. Speaker, countless remarkable Americans have contributed great 
sums to the building and development of our great Nation. Today we 
celebrate Harry Colmery, truly one of the most remarkable of all 
Americans. Harry Colmery had the awesome vision and the practical 
brilliance to compose ``The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944,'' or 
much better known as the GI bill.
  Harry Colmery grew up and attended school in Pennsylvania before 
earning a law degree in 1916. When the U.S. entered World War I, 
Colmery left to serve America as a first lieutenant in the Army Air 
Service. When he returned safely home after the war, he developed a 
successful law practice, eventually arguing two cases before the United 
States Supreme Court. He also became involved in the emerging American 
Legion and was elected National Commander in 1936.
  As the head of the American Legion, Colmery had the foresight to see 
beyond the second great war and to understand that at its completion 
nearly 15 million servicemen and servicewomen would be returning home 
looking to continue their lives. Many would probably want to go back to 
work, many more would want to go on to college. Colmery addressed both 
interests at an emergency meeting of the American Legion leadership in 
December of 1943. There Colmery drafted the initial draft of what 
became the Servicemen's Readjustment Act. President Franklin Roosevelt 
signed the law the following year, and it is credited with almost 
single-handedly jump-starting the modern American economic engine.
  Mr. Speaker, the G.I. Bill provided educational benefits that more 
than 2 million men and women utilized to attend college after coming 
home from World War II. Furthermore, an additional 5 million veterans 
received job training and other preparation through the G.I. Bill. 
Indeed, the G.I. Bill became one of the most directly influential acts 
of Congress in American history. It is impossible to measure the 
benefit to our national economy and general welfare from the fruits of 
all of this education.
  Harry Colmery's work in authoring the G.I. Bill make him one of the 
great Americans about whom many people today actually know very little.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution requests the President to posthumously 
award the Nation's highest civilian award to Harry Colmery. On behalf 
of the chairman, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), and the 
rest of the Members of the Committee on Government Reform, I want to 
make clear that this is not a frivolous request, nor do we believe that 
the Presidential Medal of Freedom is an honor that should be awarded 
lightly. But we believe that Harry Colmery deserves the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom for the millions of lives that he helped improve 
through the G.I. Bill.
  I want to applaud the distinguished gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun) 
for bringing this legislation forward on behalf of Harry Colmery and 
his momentous contributions to our Nation. I believe this legislation 
deserves the full support of the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. 
Miller) for her remarks on Mr. Colmery.
  Mr. Speaker, it is never too late to honor someone who has done a 
great deed for our Nation. Harry W. Colmery should be honored with the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom because millions of Americans are better 
off today as a result of his vision and the hard work he put in to 
making his dream a reality.
  After returning from duty in the Air Service during World War I, Mr. 
Colmery was struck by the financial and emotional hardships he and his 
fellow veterans encountered when they returned home. These hardships 
included trouble adjusting to civilian life and the inability to find 
adequate jobs.
  Holding a law degree and therefore in better shape than most 
veterans, Mr. Colmery immediately became involved in the newly formed 
American Legion, where he helped fellow veterans who were less 
fortunate than he was. He held several legion posts before being named 
National Commander in 1936.
  As more and more young men were drafted into service during World War 
II, Harry Colmery began to think of his own experiences and how he 
could improve the lives of American veterans when they returned from 
war. He led efforts to make sure that these fine young men who had 
risked their lives for the freedom America enjoys would best benefit 
from that freedom when they returned.
  In December 1943, Colmery called an emergency meeting of the American 
Legion leadership. Colmery drafted legislation that would become the 
Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, known today as the G.I. Bill of 
Rights.
  The G.I. Bill of Rights is considered to be one of the core reasons 
that the 15 million U.S. soldiers active during World War II were able 
to return to America and lead productive lives.
  Since its enactment, the G.I. Bill of Rights has provided education 
and training for 7.8 million men and women. For the first time some of 
our Nation's most elite universities became available to working class 
Americans through the G.I. Bill, when they otherwise would not have had 
the opportunity or financial resources.
  Executive Order No. 11085 states that the Medal of Freedom may be 
awarded to any person who has made a meritorious contribution to the 
security or national interests of the United States. Frankly, the 
contribution Mr. Colmery has made to the well-being of all Americans, 
regardless of race, class or religion, is immeasurable. As a grateful 
Nation, we thank Mr. Colmery and award him the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom because it is never too late to honor American heroes like 
Harry Colmery.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I urge all Members to support House Concurrent Resolution 257 that 
was offered by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun). He wanted to be 
here today but was delayed at the airport.

                              {time}  1500

  I certainly commend him for his leadership on this resolution.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Con. Res. 257, which would express the sense of Congress that the 
President posthumously award the Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery. 
Mr. Colmery, a lawyer who successfully argued cases before the Supreme 
Court after World War I, was the visionary who drafted in long-hand 
during the Christmas and New Year's holidays of 1943-1944 what would 
become the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the 
``G.I. Bill of Rights.''
  Michael Bennett, author of When Dreams Came True--The G.I. Bill and 
the Making of Modern America, credits Mr. Colmery with the wisdom and 
foresight that ``made the United States the first overwhelming middle-
class nation in the world. It was the law that worked, the law whose 
unexpected consequences were even greater than its intended purposes.''
  The World War II G.I. Bill of Rights--and the engaging response on 
the part of the 7.8

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million veterans who used it--produced 450,000 engineers; 238,000 
teachers; 91,000 scientists; 67,000 doctors; 22,000 dentists; and 
another one million college-educated men in other professional 
disciplines like business, management, manufacturing, banking, and 
social services. Among the 7.8 million GI Bill recipients were about 
five million World War II veterans who received other forms of valuable 
technical schooling or on-job training that become so important to our 
post-war civilian economy.
  Mr. Speaker, even before WWII ended, Harry Colmery forecast that we 
as a nation would need a kind of economic ``cubby hole'' for training 
its veterans after the war, as the American economy would transform 
from making machine guns to making Maytags. Congress agreed, and on 
June 22, 1944, it sent the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 to the 
White House. President Roosevelt signed the bill saying ``. . . it 
gives emphatic notice to the men and women in our Armed Forces that the 
American people do not intend to let them down.''
  But frankly, it was more than not letting down the veterans 
themselves. Michael Bennett speculates on Mr. Colmery's foresight, 
``For this was a bill . . . conceived in democracy and dedicated to the 
proposition that those called upon to die for their country, if need 
be, are the best qualified to make it work, if given the opportunity.''
  Having served in the Army Air Service during World War I, Harry 
Colmery understood that economically empowering veterans through 
education and training was vastly superior to providing them with cash 
bonus payments, as was done for World War I service. And history has 
shown how correct Mr. Colmery was.
  Building upon the success of the original GI Bill, Congress 
subsequently approved a second bill following the Korean War; a third 
bill following the Vietnam War; a fourth bill for the post-Vietnam War 
era; and in 1985, under the dedicated leadership of former Veterans' 
Committee Chairman Sonny Montgomery, Congress approved the modern 
version of the GI Bill which is fittingly called the Montgomery GI 
Bill.
  And in recent years, Congress has continued to keep faith with the 
goals originally set out by Harry Colmery by passing legislation that 
modernizes the GI Bill to meet the needs of America's military veterans 
in the 21st century. As a result of bipartisan legislation I was proud 
to sponsor along with my good friend Congressman Lane Evans, the total 
lifetime college benefit for qualified veterans has risen from $24,192 
in January 2001, to $35,460 today. In total, more than 21 million 
veterans have received higher education and job training through the 
original WWII GI Bill and its successors.
  Michael Bennett noted that, ``the $14.5 billion cost of the WWII GI 
Bill was paid by additional taxes on the increased income of the GI 
Bill recipient by 1960. Without the property--and the social peace--
engendered by the GI Bill, America couldn't have afforded the Marshall 
Plan's $12.5 billion.''
  Mr. Bennett further observed that by 1960, ``veterans were only in 
their early 40s, at the height of their earning powers, and the bill's 
catalytic effects would be felt for years to come throughout the entire 
economy as homes, schools, roads and service industries multiplied. 
Between 1960 and 1980, America's Gross Domestic Product quintupled from 
$515.9 billion to $2.7 trillion. Since then, the GDP has risen to $8.5 
trillion in 1998, a tripling in 17 years rather than a quintupling in 
20.''
  Economic philosopher Peter Drucker said in the Harvard Business 
Review that ``the GI Bill of Rights and the enthusiastic response to it 
on the part of America's veterans signaled the shift to a knowledge 
society. In this society, knowledge is the primary resource for 
individuals and for the economy overall.''
  Mr. Drucker later wrote that ``future historians may consider it the 
most important event in the 20th Century. We are clearly in the middle 
of this transformation; indeed, if history is any guide, it will not be 
completed until 2010 or 2020. But already it has changed the political, 
economic and moral landscape of the world.''
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Harry W. Colmery essentially articulated for America 
what author Bennett later referred to as the ``American Creed in 
Action.'' Mr. Colmery knew from his personal experiences during and 
after World War I that Americans who fight in wars often are ordinary 
people who do extraordinary things. Mr. Colmery and The American Legion 
mounted the campaign for the GI Bill and against those who predicted 
that it could turn the nation's college and universities in to 
``educational hobo jungles.'' In the end, Mr. Colmery and 
Representative Edith Nourse Rodgers (MA), who worked with him and co-
authored the GI Bill legislation in the House of Representatives, won 
out.
  As the New York Times reported in November 1947, ``. . . here is the 
most astonishing fact in the history of American higher education. . . 
. The G.I.'s are hogging the honor rolls and the Dean's lists; as they 
are walking away with the top marks in all of their courses. . . . Far 
from being an educational problem, the veteran has become an asset to 
higher education.''
  Mr. Speaker, as a trained lawyer and not an economist or an educator, 
Harry Colmery designed the legislation to allow 14 million World War II 
veterans to transform arsenals of mass destruction into industries of 
mass consumption.
  These veterans did not just pass through higher education, they 
transformed it. But it was more than that. They created the modern 
middle class, thanks to the vision of Harry Colmery.
  I encourage my colleagues to emphatically support the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom for this extraordinary American.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. 
Res. 257, a resolution that would urge the President to posthumously 
award Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kansas, the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom.
  In order to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a person must 
have contributed in one of the following areas: the security or 
national interest of the United States, world peace, or another 
significant public or private endeavor. Harry Colmery's work to bring 
the gift of education to so many millions of American service members 
certainly qualified.
  Harry Colmery answered the call of duty in World War I by serving as 
a first lieutenant in the Army Air Service. Aviation was a new concept 
in those days, and Mr. Colmery showed exceptional bravery and faith by 
serving his country in the air.
  Harry Colmery also served the United States as a lawyer, having 
received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1916. He 
used his education well and argued two successful cases before the U.S. 
Supreme Court. In his personal life, Mr. Colmery was active in the 
American legion, and its members elected him National Commander in 
1936.
  In December of 1943, Mr. Colmery's law career and his devotion to his 
country intersected. Millions of young Americans had answered the call 
of duty and served in World War II and were starting to return home. 
Harry Colmery and the American Legion wanted to ensure that these 
returning soldiers would be able to transition back into civilian life. 
In Room 570 of the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., Mr. Colmery 
outlined the legislation that became the Servicemen's Readjustment Act 
of 1944, better known now as the G.I. Bill of Rights.
  The G.I. Bill has helped to create over 250,000 engineers 238,000 
teachers, 91,000 scientists, 67,000 doctors, and 22,000 dentists since 
being signed into law. Thanks to these men and women, bridges, 
buildings, and ships have been built; children have realized their 
dreams, scientific mysteries have been solved, and patients in need of 
care have been healed.
  As an active member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I am 
proud that Mr. Colmery's work on the G.I. Bill of Rights is something 
we have built upon. In the 107th Congress, my colleagues and I worked 
to pass legislation to expand educational benefits for veterans. This 
legislation, The 21st Century Montgomery G.I. Bill Enhancement Act, 
included an increase in basic education benefits, an increase in the 
rate of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance and an 
expansion of the work-study program.
  Today, the military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are creating a 
new generation of veterans. Harry Colmery's foresight has secured 
valuable educational benefits for these men and women who are so 
bravely defending freedom in the war on terror and gives them 
opportunities for their futures.
  I am pleased that my colleague, Mr. Ryun, has been successful in 
bringing this resolution to the House floor, and I am proud to be a 
cosponsor of this resolution to posthumously award the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom to Mr. Harry W. Colmery.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
257, expressing the sense of Congress that the President should 
posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. 
Colmery. Harry Colmery is truly an American treasure. In December of 
1943, Mr. Colmery sat in room 570 of the Mayflower Hotel drafting what 
arguably became our most successful domestic program ever, possible 
even more remarkable than the Homestead Act.
  I believe Mr. Colmery simply wanted a decent opportunity for the 14 
million GIs we

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brought home after World War II. The GI bill provided veterans with 
opportunities that were limited only by their own aspiration, ability 
and initiative. The VA provided the opportunity; the veterans provided 
the initiative.
  On June 20, 2002, I joined Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony 
Principi, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Christopher 
Smith, former Senator Bob Dole, former House Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs Chairman G.V. Sonny Montgomery, Congressman Jim Ryun--who 
authored the legislation we are considering today--author Michael 
Bennett, and National Adjutant Robert W. Spanogle of The American 
Legion, at the Mayflower Hotel to dedicate room 570. This was our first 
step to recognize the man who authored legislation which, unbeknownst 
to him, would create the modern middle class.
  After the ceremony, this distinguished group of individuals wrote 
letters in support of honoring Mr. Colmery with the Presidential Medal 
of Freedom. This was followed by Congressman Ryun introducing H. Con. 
Res. 257, of which I am proud to co-sponsor.
  Harry Colmery was a visionary and deserves the Nation's highest 
honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The GI bill transformed 
America. Former President George Bush put it best, ``The GI bill 
changes the lives of millions by replacing old roadblocks with paths of 
opportunity. And, in so doing, it boosted America's work force, it 
boosted America's economy, and really, it changed the life of our 
Nation.''
  Mr. Speaker, let us honor the man who redefined our way of life. I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 257.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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