ROOSEVELT SIGNS G.I. BILL
Washington (JFK+50) Franklin D Roosevelt signed the Serviceman's Readjustment Act, known as the GI Bill, on June 22, 1944 at the White House here in the Nation's Capital.
The GI Bill provided returning veterans of World War II money for college tuition, living expenses, books and supplies. The bill had a major impact on post secondary education in the United States. Before WWII, 15% of young Americans went on to higher education. After WWII, 50% of all college students were veterans.
The bill included a provision to provide low interest loans for housing which would provide the opportunity for veterans and their families to move out of urban apartments to new homes in the suburbs.
Harry W. Colmery*, former commander of the American Legion, wrote the first draft of the GI Bill and Senator Ernest McFarland of Arizona, Warren Atherton, and Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts played major roles in the legislation.
*Harry W. Colmery (1890-1979),was born in Braddock, PA & graduated from Oberlin College in 1913. HWC graduated from the University of Pittsburgh law school in 1916 & was an Army Air Force pilot in World War I. HWC was awarded the American Legion's Distinguished Service Award in 1975.
Washington (JFK+50) Franklin D Roosevelt signed the Serviceman's Readjustment Act, known as the GI Bill, on June 22, 1944 at the White House here in the Nation's Capital.
The GI Bill provided returning veterans of World War II money for college tuition, living expenses, books and supplies. The bill had a major impact on post secondary education in the United States. Before WWII, 15% of young Americans went on to higher education. After WWII, 50% of all college students were veterans.
The bill included a provision to provide low interest loans for housing which would provide the opportunity for veterans and their families to move out of urban apartments to new homes in the suburbs.
Harry W. Colmery*, former commander of the American Legion, wrote the first draft of the GI Bill and Senator Ernest McFarland of Arizona, Warren Atherton, and Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts played major roles in the legislation.
*Harry W. Colmery (1890-1979),was born in Braddock, PA & graduated from Oberlin College in 1913. HWC graduated from the University of Pittsburgh law school in 1916 & was an Army Air Force pilot in World War I. HWC was awarded the American Legion's Distinguished Service Award in 1975.
