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SCON 117 IS
Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. SPECTER, and Mr. SANTORUM) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
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 2 significant cases before the United States Supreme Court, 1 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
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