Bill Text: IL HR1288 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates the American Legion on the 75th anniversary of the G.I. Bill of Rights.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-11-14 - Resolution Adopted [HR1288 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR1288-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On November 4, 1943, eight members of the American
Legion met at Luther B. Easley Post 128 in Salem to discuss
ideas about how to help our soldiers readjust to civilian life
after the current World War was won; and
WHEREAS, These ideas were written down on dinner napkins by
Omar J. McMackin of Salem, Earl W. Merritt of Salem, former
Governor John Stelle of McLeansboro, Dr. Leonard W. Esper of
Springfield, George H. Bauer of Effingham, William R. McCauley
of Olney, James P. Ringley of Lemont, and A. L. Starshak of
Chicago; and
WHEREAS, These ideas were taken to Washington, D.C. by
Governor Stelle and included in the drafting of the longhand
version of ideas from Legion members around the United States
during meetings at the Mayflower Hotel; and
WHEREAS, Officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment
Act of 1944, the bill was introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives on January 10th by ranking Democrat and
Republican members John Rankin and Edith Nourse Rogers, and
introduced in the U.S. Senate on January 11th with Senate
sub-committee chair Bennett Champ Clark of Missouri and joined
by Senators Tom Connelly of Texas, David I. Walsh of

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Massachusetts, Walter F. George of Georgia, Owen Brewster of
Maine, Chan Gurney of South Dakota, Scott Lucas and C. Wayland
Brooks of Illinois, Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan, and Hattie
Caraway of Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, more
commonly known as the G.I. Bill of Rights, was passed by the
U.S. Senate on June 12, 1944 and the U.S. House of
Representatives on June 13, 1944; it was signed into law by
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on June 22, 1944; and
WHEREAS, June 22, 2019 will be the 75th anniversary of the
G.I. Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, This historic piece of legislation is a fine
example of things being born, built, or grown in Illinois that
are worthy of recognition as part of the Illinois bicentennial;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
congratulate the American Legion on this historic
accomplishment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
presented to the National American Legion Commander Brett P.

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Reistad and to the American Legions of the members who were
instrumental in the "birth" of the G.I. Bill in Illinois.