[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 101 (Thursday, July 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7965-S7966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI:
  S. 1207. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Albuquerque, New 
Mexico, metropolitan area; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure and honor that 
I

[[Page S7966]]

rise today to introduce a bill to create a National Veterans Cemetery 
in Albuquerque, NM.
  The men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces 
have made immeasurable sacrifices to this great Nation. Veterans have 
secured liberty for citizens of the United States since time and 
immemorial. Their sacrifices and those of their families must not be 
forgotten.
  These veterans deserve to be buried in a National Cemetery with their 
fellow comrades. However, the Santa Fe National Cemetery, which serves 
the Northern two thirds of New Mexico, is rapidly approaching maximum 
capacity.
  Some years ago, the Senate passed my legislation to extend the useful 
life of the Santa Fe National Cemetery by authorizing the use of flat 
grave markers. However, that legislation was a temporary measure, 
rather than a solution since the Cemetery will lack sufficient plot 
space by 2008. The solution that I am seeking is to designate a new 
National Cemetery in Albuquerque, NM.
  I believe all New Mexicans are proud of the Santa Fe National 
Cemetery. Since its humble beginnings, it has grown from 39/100 of an 
acre to its current 77 acres.
  The cemetery first opened in 1868 and was designated a National 
Cemetery in April of 1875. Service men and women from all of our 
Nation's wars hold an honored spot within its hallowed ground.
  With that proud history in mind, we must find another suitable site 
to serve as the last resting place for New Mexico's veterans.
  I would like to thank Congresswoman Heather Wilson for bringing this 
important issue to my attention, and for introducing companion 
legislation earlier this year.
  The need to begin planning soon cannot be overstated. Half of New 
Mexico's 180,000 veterans live in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area. 
Interment rates continue to rise with the passing of our older veterans 
and will peak in 2008.
  Therefore, I am introducing legislation today to create a National 
Veterans Cemetery in Albuquerque, NM.
  The bill simply directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
establish a National Cemetery in the Albuquerque metropolitan area and 
to submit a report to Congress setting forth a schedule for 
establishing the Cemetery.
  In conclusion I would 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. 1207

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

     SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CEMETERY.

       (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 the Albuquerque, New 
     Mexico, metropolitan area to serve the needs of veterans and 
     their families.
       (b) Report.--As soon as practicable after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report that sets forth a schedule for the establishment of 
     the national cemetery under subsection (a) and an estimate of 
     the costs associated with the establishment of the national 
     cemetery.
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