[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5975-S5976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ALLARD:
  S. 996. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
establish a national cemetery for veterans in the

[[Page S5976]]

Colorado Springs, Colorado, metropolitan area; to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, the Colorado Springs, Colorado 
metropolitan area is the home of the United States Air Force Academy, 
the North American Aerospace Defense Command, United States Space 
Command, Ft. Carson Army Base, Peterson Air Force Base, and Shriever 
Air Force Base. There are over 30,000 active duty and reserve military 
personnel in the city. There are nearly 23,000 retired personnel in the 
5th Congressional District, which is based around Colorado Springs, the 
third largest DoD retired community in any Congressional District in 
the country. There is, however, no National Military Cemetery.
  The bill I am introducing today is a companion piece to legislation 
introduced in the House by my friend and colleague, Joel Hefley. At my 
annual town meeting in El Paso County on June 1, I discussed this 
matter with my constituents. There are many of them who feel strongly 
that a cemetery is needed and I agree. This bill will allow the 
thousands of eligible Colorado Springs military personnel, both active 
duty and retired, to have a chance to find their final resting place in 
the city so many of them love.
  I am aware that the Veterans Administration is not known for prompt 
and easy cemetery construction. I am aware that there are some areas of 
the country deemed to have cemetery needs more critical than Colorado 
Springs. But I do not think that should mean that the people of 
Colorado Springs are denied the ability to chose a cemetery for 
themselves and their loved ones that properly honors their 
contributions to the nation.
  I look forward to working on this bill and seeing its eventual 
passage.
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