[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6369-S6370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI:
  S. 1182. 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; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


                 santa fe national cemetery legislation

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure and honor that 
I rise today to introduce a bill to extend the useful life of the Santa 
Fe National Cemetery in New Mexico.
  The men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces 
have made immeasurable sacrifices for the principles of freedom and 
liberty that make this Nation unique throughout civilization. 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.
  These veterans at the very least deserve every opportunity to be 
buried at a National Cemetery of their choosing. However, unless 
Congressional action is taken the Santa Fe National Cemetery will run 
out of space to provide casketed burials for our veterans at the 
conclusion of 2000.
  I believe all New Mexicans can be proud of the Santa Fe National 
Cemetery that has grown from 39/100 of an acre to its current 77 acres. 
The cemetery first opened in 1868 and within several years was 
designated a National Cemetery in April of 1875.
  Men and women who have fought in all of nation's wars hold an honored 
spot within the hallowed ground of the cemetery. Today the Santa Fe 
National Cemetery contains almost 27,000 graves that are mostly marked 
by upright headstones.
  However, as I have already stated, unless Congress acts the Santa Fe 
National Cemetery will be forced to close. The Bill I am introducing 
today allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the use 
of flat grave markers that will extend the useful life of the cemetery 
until 2008.

[[Page S6370]]

  While I wish the practice of utilizing headstones could continue 
indefinitely if a veteran chose, my wishes are outweighed by my desire 
to extend the useful life of the cemetery. I would note that my desire 
is shared by the New Mexico Chapter of the American Legion, the 
Albuquerque Chapter of the Retired Officers' Association, and the New 
Mexico Chapter of the VFW who have all endorsed the use of flat grave 
markers.
  Finally, this is not without precedent because exceptions to the law 
have been granted on six prior occasions with the most recent action 
occurring in 1994 when Congress authorized the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to provide for flat grave markers at the Willamette National 
Cemetery in Oregon.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the Bill and 
four letters of support for the use of flat grave markers be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the materials were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1182

       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 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.
                                  ____

                                              The American Legion,


                                     Department of New Mexico,

                                  Albuquerque, NM, March 31, 1997.
     Mr. Gil Gallo,
     Director, Santa Fe National Cemetery,
     Santa Fe, NM.
       Dear Mr. Gallo: The American Legion has discussed your 
     proposal on having a section of flat cemetery markers at the 
     National Cemetery, which would decrease the size of the 
     individual plots; therefore making more room for our 
     veterans, at the National Cemetery.
       We are in complete agreement and in support of this 
     venture. If we can be of assistance in any way, please 
     advise.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Harry C. Rhizor,
     Department Commander.
                                  ____

                                              Albuquerque Chapter,


                            The Retired Officers' Association,

                                   Albuquerque, NM, March 7, 1997.
     Director,
     Santa Fe National Cemetery,
     Santa Fe, NM.
       Dear sir, The Albuquerque Chapter of The Retired Officers 
     Association supports your position to begin using flat grave 
     markers for future interments.
           Sincerely,
                                                    George Pierce,
     LTC, USA, President.
                                  ____

                                                              VFW,


                                     Department of New Mexico,

                                  Albuquerque, NM, April 16, 1997.
     Gill Gallo,
     Director, Department of Veterans Affairs,
     Santa Fe National Cemetery,
     Santa Fe, NM.
       Dear Mr. Gallo: This letter will acknowledge receipt of 
     your informational letter concerning the Santa Fe National 
     Cemetery dated April 4, 1997. Please be advised that I took 
     the liberty to circulate the information to VFW Post 
     Commanders located in Northern New Mexico. The following is 
     our consensus.
       Although we would want to continue with the upright marble 
     headstones which are provided with the 5x10 grave site, we 
     found it more important to extend the life of the National 
     Cemetery therefore we support your efforts to utilize the 
     granite markers and the recommended 4x8 grave sites. We are 
     also in agreement with your recommendations for a columbarium 
     for the burial of our cremated Comrades.
       Please thank your staff for the outstanding work and 
     service which they provide our departed Comrades and 
     Veterans. Let me also thank you for providing us with the 
     specific information needed to come to our decision.
       As State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the 
     United States of America Department of New Mexico I pledge 
     our full support of your recommendation and would ask that 
     you forward this letter of support to your Washington Office.
       May God Bless America and our men and women who served and 
     serve in our military armed forces.
           Yours in comradeship,
                                                  Robert O. Perea,
     State Commander.
                                  ____

                                   Department of Veterans Affairs,


                            Director National Cemetery System,

                                  Washington, DC, January 9, 1998.
     Michael C. D'Arco,
     Director, New Mexico Veterans
     Services Commission
     Santa Fe, NM.
       Dear Mr. D'Arco. I know that you are completing your study 
     on the issue of veterans cemeteries in New Mexico. Following 
     is information on the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
       There is approximately a three-year inventory of casketed 
     sites readily available for immediate use in the recently 
     developed sections of the cemetery, sections 10, 11, and 12. 
     If no other casketed sites are developed, then we would 
     exhaust this inventory in 2001.
       Based on our understanding that future flat marker 
     gravesite sections on the east side of the cemetery are 
     acceptable to veterans and the neighboring community, an 
     additional seven-year inventory of sites can be developed in 
     that portion of the cemetery. This would extend the useful 
     life of the cemetery for casketed burials to the year 2008. 
     While this is just a general estimate, and exact details will 
     not be available until a more formal design is completed, we 
     anticipate developing and using these sites. Accordingly, the 
     2008 date is the date to use in your study for casketed 
     gravesite closure of the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
       It is important to note that we anticipate being able to 
     provide for inground cremation service well beyond the year 
     2030. Consideration will also be given toward columbarium 
     development.
       Incidentally, we are estimating Fort Bayard National 
     Cemetery's closure date as 2027, but we are optimistic that 
     potential exists beyond that date. I hope this information is 
     useful to you. If you have any questions, please contact me 
     or Roger R. Rapp on my staff at 202-273-5225.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                   Jerry W. Bowen.
                                 ______