SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 20--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD POSTHUMOUSLY AWARD THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO HARRY W. COLMERY; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 104
(Senate - June 20, 2019)
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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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