[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1182 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1182

To authorize the use of flat grave markers to extend the useful life of 
the Santa Fe National Cemetery, New Mexico, and to allow more veterans 
         the honor and choice of being buried in the cemetery.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 27, 1999

 Mr. Domenici introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To authorize the use of flat grave markers to extend the useful life of 
the Santa Fe National Cemetery, New Mexico, and to allow more veterans 
         the honor and choice of being buried in the cemetery.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO USE FLAT GRAVE MARKERS AT SANTA FE NATIONAL 
              CEMETERY, NEW MEXICO.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The men and women who have served in the Armed Forces 
        have made immeasurable sacrifices for the principles of freedom 
        and liberty that make this Nation unique in all civilization.
            (2) The service of veterans has been vital to the history 
        of the Nation, and the sacrifices made by veterans and their 
        families should not be forgotten.
            (3) These veterans at the very least deserve every 
        opportunity to be buried in a National Cemetery of their 
        choosing.
            (4) The Santa Fe National Cemetery in New Mexico opened in 
        1868 and was designated a National Cemetery in April 1875.
            (5) The Santa Fe National Cemetery now has 77 acres with 
        almost 27,000 graves most of which are marked by upright 
        headstones.
            (6) The Santa Fe National Cemetery will run out of space to 
        provide for casketed burials at the end of 2000 unless Congress 
        acts to allow the use of flat grave markers to extend the 
        useful life of the cemetery until 2008.
    (b) Authority.--Notwithstanding section 2404(c)(2) of title 38, 
United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide for 
flat grave markers at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, New Mexico.
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