Bernard W . Kearney Bernard William Kearney ( May 23 , 1889 – June 3 , 1976 ) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New York . Early life . " Pat " Kearney was born in Ithaca , New York on May 23 , 1889 , the son of Patrick B . Kearney , a clothier , and Josephine M . ( Oster ) Kearney . He graduated from Albany Law School in 1914 and became an attorney in Gloversville . He served in the New York National Guard from 1909 until 1917 , first as a member of Company G , 2nd New York Infantry , and then with Troop B , 1st New York Cavalry . He served on the border with Mexico during the Pancho Villa Expedition , attended Officer Training School at Fort Niagara and received his commission in 1917 . Legal career . Kearney practiced law in Hamilton and Fulton Counties . He was the City Judge of Gloversville from 1920 to 1924 . He served as Assistant District Attorney of Hamilton County from 1924 to 1929 , and Fulton County from 1929 to 1931 . He was Fulton County District Attorney from 1931 to 1942 . World War I . Kearney served in France as a member of units in the 27th Division during World War I , and saw combat at St . Mihiel and Meuse - Argonne . He received the French Legion of Honor ( Officer ) and Croix de Guerre . Post World War I . He continued his National Guard service after the war , commanding the 105th Infantry Regiment as a Colonel , and the 53rd Brigade as a Brigadier General . He retired from the National Guard in 1940 . Active in veterans organizations , Kearney served as National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from 1936 to 1937 . World War II . During World War II Kearney commanded a brigade in the New York Guard , the volunteer organization that performed the New York National Guard ' s stateside functions while National Guard soldiers were serving overseas . Post World War II . When the 27th and 42nd Infantry Divisions were fielded in New York a part of the National Guard ' s post - war reorganization , Kearney was recalled from retirement , promoted to Major General , and assigned as commander of the 27th Division . He retired again in 1948 . Congressional career . Kearney was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1942 , and served eight terms , January 3 , 1943 to January 3 , 1959 . He rose to become the ranking Republican member of the House Un - American Activities Committee , and developed a reputation as a staunch anti - communist . His major legislative accomplishment was co - authorship and passage of the GI Bill to benefit veterans returning from World War II . Kearney was also given credit for having suggested the law ' s title . Retirement and death . Kearney did not run for reelection in 1958 . In retirement he resided in Canandaigua , New York and Venice , Florida . In 1959 Congress passed special legislation authorizing Kearney to accept and wear the Philippine Legion of Honor ( Commander ) . He received this award in 1953 to acknowledge his support and efforts to boost the morale of the Philippine resistance during the Japanese occupation in World War II . He died in Venice on June 3 , 1976 . He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery , Section 30 , Grave 352 .