[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1316-S1317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN:
  S. 319. A bill to designate the national cemetery established at the 
former site of the Joliet Arsenal, IL, as the ``Abraham Lincoln 
National Cemetery''; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


               the abraham lincoln national cemetery act

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I rise today, on the 188th 
anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, our Nation's 16th and 1st 
Republican President, to introduce the Abraham Lincoln National 
Cemetery bill. Congressman Jerry Weller, in whose district the newest 
national veterans cemetery is located, will introduce an identical bill 
in the House of Representatives today.
  The National Cemetery System was established by President Lincoln in 
1862 to provide for the proper burial and registration of graves of 
soldiers who died in the Civil War. Since its inception, the National 
Cemetery System has grown to include 130 military burial grounds and 
provides places of private meditation and reflection for all who visit 
its hallowed grounds. None of these cemeteries, however, including the 
six in Illinois, are named after President Lincoln.
  As you know, President Lincoln had great affection for ``him who 
[had] borne the battle''. Perhaps Lincoln's admiration for our Nation's 
veterans is rooted in the fact that Lincoln--a man of peace--had his 
Presidency marked by the scourge of war. He knew all too well the 
sacrifices and hardships that the defenders of our Nation's freedom had 
to bear and the ``cause for which they [may be called to give their] 
last full measure of devotion.'' President Lincoln demonstrated his 
deep affection for our Nation's veterans in many ways. During the Civil 
War, he often visited the sick and wounded stationed in and around 
Washington, DC. His administration created what is now the Department 
of Veterans Affairs and the VA hospital system. Perhaps the greatest 
demonstration of his love for our Nation's veterans was his strong 
leadership and unwavering support for the creation of the National 
Cemetery System, which not only provides dignified final resting places 
for our Nation's soldiers but also ensures that

[[Page S1317]]

neither the Nation nor its citizens will forget those who served in our 
Armed Forces.
  Last year, Congress approved of the transfer of 982 acres of the 
former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant from the Department of the Army to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs for the development of a new 
national veterans cemetery. The President's budget included $19.9 
million for the construction of the first phase of the cemetery, which 
is scheduled to open in late 1998 or early 1999.
  Mr. President, this legislation to name our Nation's newest national 
cemetery after President Lincoln deserves strong bipartisan support. By 
naming the new veterans national cemetery in honor of President 
Lincoln, we not only acknowledge the pivotal role he played in the 
development of one of our national treasures--the national veterans 
cemetery system--we also honor the memory of the millions of courageous 
men and women who served in war and peacetime to preserve our Nation's 
democracy, freedom, and national values. Men and women, who like my 
grandfather, father, and uncle, who fought in World War I and World War 
II, notwithstanding the fact that the full promise of America was 
denied them because of the color of their skin. Their patriotism grew 
out of an abiding respect for American values, and out of the hope for 
our country. We can do no less in peacetime than to honor not only 
their sacrifice, but the reasons for it. Naming a national cemetery 
after President Lincoln is in recognition that that faith and hope 
abide with us still.
  Illinois is now--and will always be the Land of Lincoln. His legacy 
is a living testament to the values--honesty, hard work and 
perseverance in the face of adversity--that characterize residents of 
America's heartland. No place has a greater claim to the Lincoln 
heritage than his beloved Springfield, IL, but his memory and what he 
stood for belong to all of us in the Land of Lincoln and across these 
United States. As Secretary of War Edward M. Stanton prophetically put 
it while keeping vigil at Lincoln's deathbed, ``Now he belongs to the 
ages.''
  As such, I can think of no more fitting gift or more appropriate way 
to celebrate the birthday of our Nation's greatest President, than to 
support and pass this legislation to name our newest and second-largest 
national veterans cemetery, in the State he so dearly loved, after him. 
In Lincoln's immortal words, ``it is altogether fitting and proper that 
we do this.''
  His guidance that a house divided cannot stand is as valid today as 
it was when given. We leave partisan differences aside when we are 
called upon to respond to today's challenges as Americans. This 
legislation is a bipartisan effort to bring all of us together in honor 
of one of the greatest Americans ever to have lived. As we honor him, 
and his leadership, we honor the true legacy of his service to our 
country.
  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. 319

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL CEMETERY.

       (a) Designation.--The national cemetery established at the 
     former site of the Joliet Arsenal, Illinois, shall be known 
     and designated as the ``Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     paper, or other record of the United States to the national 
     cemetery referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery''.
                                 ______