II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 691 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 25, 2009 Mr. Bennet (for himself and Mr. Udall of Colorado) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region, and for other purposes.

1.

Establishment of national cemetery in southern Colorado region

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish, in accordance with chapter 24 of title 38, United States Code, a national cemetery in El Paso County, Colorado, to serve the needs of veterans and their families in the southern Colorado region. (b)

Consultation in selection of site

Before selecting the site for the national cemetery established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— (1)appropriate officials of the State of Colorado and local officials in the southern Colorado region; and (2)appropriate officials of the United States, including the Administrator of General Services, with respect to land belonging to the United States in El Paso County, Colorado, that would be suitable to establish the national cemetery under subsection (a). (c)

Authority To accept donation of parcel of land

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may accept on behalf of the United States the gift of an appropriate parcel of real property. The Secretary shall have administrative jurisdiction over such parcel of real property, and shall use such parcel to establish the national cemetery under subsection (a). (2)

Income tax treatment of gift

For purposes of Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, the real property accepted under paragraph (1) shall be considered as a gift to the United States. (d)

Report

As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the establishment of the national cemetery under subsection (a). The report shall set forth a schedule for such establishment and an estimate of the costs associated with such establishment. (e)

Southern Colorado region defined

In this Act, the term southern Colorado region means the geographic region consisting of the following Colorado counties: (1)El Paso. (2)Pueblo. (3)Teller. (4)Fremont. (5)Las Animas. (6)Huerfano. (7)Custer. (8)Costilla. (9)Alamosa. (10)Saguache. (11)Conejos. (12)Mineral. (13)Archuleta. (14)Hinsdale. (15)Gunnison. (16)Pitkin. (17)La Plata. (18)Montezuma. (19)San Juan. (20)Ouray. (21)San Miguel. (22)Dolores. (23)Montrose. (24)Delta. (25)Mesa. (26)Crowley. (27)Kiowa. (28)Bent. (29)Baca.