[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KEMPTHORNE:
  S. 2124. A bill to provide for an offer to transfer to the Secretary 
of the Army of certain property at the Navy Annex, Arlington, VA; to 
the Committee on Armed Services.


        the arlington national cemetery enhancement act of 1996

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, today, I am introducing 
legislation that would allow the Secretary of Defense to transfer 31 
acres to the Arlington National Cemetery once he determines this 
property is no longer needed by the Department of Defense. This land is 
critical to the future tribute of our national heroes.
  I believe all members of this body would agree that it is important 
to honor the men and women who have bravely fought to protect our 
liberty. Arlington National Cemetery has served the people proudly as 
one of the ways our Nation pays respect to our national heroes. 
Unfortunately, the space reserved for Arlington National Cemetery is 
limited. The additional property provided by this legislation would 
allow our Nation to honor our future champions of freedom for years to 
come.
  I am proud to introduce this legislation which I encourage the U.S. 
Senate to overwhelmingly support. This legislation is not only a 
tribute to our fallen heroes but to the families and friends who have 
lost these valiant men and women.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2124

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Arlington National Cemetery 
     Enhancement Act of 1996''.

     SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT FOR OFFER OF TRANSFER OF CERTAIN PROPERTY 
                   AT THE NAVY ANNEX, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.

       (A) Offer.--Upon the determination of the Secretary of 
     Defense under subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense shall 
     offer to transfer to the Secretary of the Army administrative 
     jurisdiction over a parcel of real property consisting of 
     approximately 31 acres located in Arlington, Virginia, and 
     known as the Navy Annex/Federal Building Number 2. The 
     Secretary of defense shall make the offer as soon as 
     practicable after the date of the determination.
       (b) Determination.--The Secretary of Defense shall make the 
     offer required under subsection (a) upon a determination by 
     the Secretary that the Department of Defense no longer 
     requires the property referred to in that subsection for the 
     purposes for which such property is used as of the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Requirements Relating to Transfer.--(1)(A) If the 
     Secretary of Defense transfers jurisdiction over the property 
     referred to in subsection (a) pursuant to the offer under 
     that subsection, the transfer shall be without reimbursement.
       (B) The Secretary of the Army shall bear any costs 
     associated with such transfer of property, including costs of 
     a survey of the property and costs of compliance with 
     environmental laws with respect to the property.
       (2) The Secretary of the Army shall utilize the property as 
     part of the Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
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