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Expressing the Sense of Congress that the President Posthumously Award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery

Date: July 6, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Military Personnel


EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE PRESIDENT POSTHUMOUSLY AWARD THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO HARRY W. COLMERY -- (House of Representatives - July 06, 2004)

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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 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.

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