[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S3597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA (for himself and Mr. Inouye):
  S. 2659. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for 
the eligibility of Indian tribal organizations for grants for the 
establishment of veterans cemeteries on trust lands; to the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce an important 
piece of legislation for our Native American veterans. The Native 
American Veterans Cemetery Act of 2006 would provide tribal 
organizations eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs grants to 
establish veterans cemeteries on trust lands. Currently, VA does not 
have the authority to make such grants.
  Native American veterans have a long and proud history of military 
service on behalf of this Nation. Per capita, Native Americans have the 
highest percentage of people serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Native 
Americans have honorably served in every war fought by the United 
States. After completion of their service, many Native American 
veterans return to their communities on trust lands. Passage of this 
legislation would provide them the option of veterans cemetery burial 
in a location convenient for their families and loved ones.
  Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have always fought for the rights 
of our indigenous peoples. The Native American Veterans Cemetery Act 
of2006 is another step forward in helping native peoples. The 
Department of Veterans Affairs supports enactment of this legislation 
and estimates it to be budget neutral. It is my hope that the Senate 
will expeditiously proceed to the consideration of this important bill.
  I ask unanimous consent that the full 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. 2659

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Veterans 
     Cemetery Act of 2006''.

     SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY OF INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR GRANTS 
                   FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS CEMETERIES ON 
                   TRUST LANDS.

       Section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(f)(1) The Secretary may make grants under this 
     subsection to any tribal organization to assist the tribal 
     organization in establishing, expanding, or improving 
     veterans' cemeteries on trust land owned by, or held in trust 
     for, the tribal organization.
       ``(2) Grants under this subsection shall be made in the 
     same manner, and under the same conditions, as grants to 
     States are made under the preceding provisions of this 
     section.
       ``(3) In this subsection:
       ``(A) The term `tribal organization' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 3764(4) of this title.
       ``(B) The term `trust land' has the meaning given that term 
     in section 3764(1) of this title.''.
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