IV

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 461

Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously

award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 4, 2002

Mr. RYUN of Kansas (for himself, Mr. EVANS, Mr. REYES, Mr. SMITH of New

Jersey, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, and Mr. TIAHRT) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on Government Reform

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 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;
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•HCON 461 IH

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 edu-
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•HCON 461 IH

cation, 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

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the

3 President should posthumously award the Presidential

4 Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kan5 sas.

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