[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 35 (Friday, March 22, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2328-S2329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, Mr. Graham, Mr. Cleland, 
        and Mr. Miller):
  S. 2069. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Jacksonville, 
Florida, metropolitan area; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, this Nation honors in many ways 
the service of those who have worn the uniform of our Armed Forces and 
placed themselves in harm's way to defend our freedom and way of life. 
This Nation raises great monuments to commemorate the many battles and 
the countless heroes of those battles fought throughout our history. 
This Nation sets aside special days to remember the sacrifice of 
generations of Americans who have stepped forward in America's defense.
  This Nation hallows ground where we lay to rest those who have served 
us in our hour of greatest need. Our National Cemetery System is not 
only hallowed ground, national cemeteries are monuments to military 
service, the places where we go on those special days to pay tribute to 
the sacrifice of so many in our history.
  Today I offer legislation to establish a national cemetery near 
Jacksonville, FL, to meet the needs of thousands of veterans who have 
chosen to live out their lives in northeast Florida and southeast 
Georgia. Florida's veteran population is the second largest in the 
Nation. Right now in northern Florida and southern Georgia, there are 
nearly half-a-million veterans. Florida has the Nation's oldest veteran 
population and one of the largest remaining populations of World War II 
veterans. We are all aware that this greatest of generations is passing 
away at higher and higher rates.

[[Page S2329]]

  Unfortunately for these hundreds of thousands of veterans in Florida 
and Georgia, the nearest national cemetery is located in Bushnell, FL, 
which is 3-hour drive from Jacksonville. The national cemetery in St. 
Augustine is full and closed. The nearest national cemetery in Georgia 
is in Marietta just north of Atlanta.
  Our veterans have made great sacrifices to protect our country in her 
days of peril, and certainly deserve to rest in honored respect in a 
national cemetery. To honor the veterans of northeast Florida and 
southeast Georgia, we must act now, in order to have this facility 
established by 2006 when our World War II veterans' deaths are expected 
to reach their peak.
  Senators Graham and Cleland and I are honored and proud to sponsor 
this important bill, and we look forward to the support of our 
colleagues as we provide for our veterans who have given so much for 
our country.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2069

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

     SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT.

       (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 Jacksonville, 
     Florida, metropolitan area to serve the needs of veterans and 
     their families.
       (b) Consultation in Selection of Site.--Before selecting 
     the site for the national cemetery established under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with--
       (1) appropriate officials of the State of Florida and local 
     officials of the Jacksonville metropolitan area, and
       (2) appropriate officials of the United States, including 
     the Administrator of General Services, with respect to land 
     belonging to the United States in that area that would be 
     suitable to establish the national cemetery under subsection 
     (a).
       (c) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report on the establishment of the national cemetery under 
     subsection (a). The report shall set forth a schedule for 
     such establishment and an estimate of the costs associated 
     with such establishment.
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