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SPEECH OF HONORABLE HARRY S. TRUMAN to AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS September 18, 19414 - 11 o'clock A.M. Release on Delivery This largest of Veterans Organizations faces a very great responsibility now, and in the immediate future. The American Legion can make one of the greatest contribu- tions to the welfare of this great Republic, if it assumes that re- sponsibility and I ain sure it will do just that. Congress has passed the most comprehensive Servicemen's relief legislation ever passed in the .history of this Country. This legislation, sometimes referred to as the G.I. Bill of Rights, is the "Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944." Under that Bill, which by the way, originated in the Senate under the sponsorship of Senator Bennett Champ Clark of Lissouri, and some eighty-odd of the ninety-six Senators, there is provided: (By the way, it passed both Houses of Congress without a dissenting vote) First: Adequate organization of the Veterans' Administration to ad- minister all veterans' benefits except employment. Second: Adequate hospital facilities for the care and treatment of veterans for nonservice disabilities or diseases incurred in service. Third: The right to have explained to him before discharge or release from active service, all rights and benefits to which he may be entitled as a veteran, and an opportunity, if he so desires, to file a claim therefor. Fourth: The right to adequate prosthetic appliances and necessary train- ing to effect the greatest possible benefits in the use of such appli- ances, such as artificial arms and legs. I visited the hospitals at Mare Island Navy and Bingham, Utah, where I saw marvelous demonstrations of what is being done along this line of rehabilitation. Fifth: Adequate safeguards as against forced statements o.gainst interest. Sixth: Adequate contact facilities in Army and Navy discharge centers, including those furnished by the services, by the American Red Cross, by National veterans' organizations, and by the Veterans' Administration. Seventh: Prompt transfer of the essentiol records of sorvice depart- ments to the Veterans' Administration and prompt adjudication of claims TRUMAN "NATIONAL for benefits. ARCHIVES AND John RECORDS c SERVICE* is COVERAGE

Terms

विषय
Veterans