[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself and Mr. Miller):
  S. 766. 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, it is a central element of our 
national character to pay solemn tribute to 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. We raise monuments to 
the deeds of our great wartime leaders as well as the countless, often 
nameless heroes of those battles fought throughout our history. We also 
set aside special days to remember the sacrifice of generations of 
Americans who have stepped forward in America's defense.
  This Nation also sets aside special places, hallowed 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. National Cemeteries remind us of where we have been as a 
Nation, and inspires future generations to uphold the legacy of our 
veterans' devotion and sacrifice.
  Today I offer legislation to establish a National Cemetery near 
Jacksonville, Florida 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.
  Unfortunately for these hundreds of thousands of veterans in Florida 
and Georgia, the nearest National Cemetery is located in Bushnell, FL, 
which is a three-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 defended our country in her days of peril, and 
certainly deserve to rest in honored respect in a National Cemetery. To 
meet our obligations to 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.
  I am proud to sponsor this important bill, and look forward to the 
support of my colleagues as we provide for our veterans who have given 
so much for our country.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 766

       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 of the national cemetery and an estimate 
     of the costs associated with such establishment of the 
     national cemetery.
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