[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 1 (Thursday, January 4, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ALLARD (for himself and Mr. Salazar):
  S. 168. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Pikes Peak Region of 
Colorado; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I am reintroducing legislation to 
establish a National Veteran's Cemetery in the Pikes Peak Region of 
Colorado in order to meet the needs of veterans in southern Colorado. 
This legislation is similar to what I have introduced and supported in 
the past, and seeks to fill a void for many veterans and their 
families. Colorado's fifth Congressional District contains the third 
highest concentration of military retirees in the nation. Recent 
estimates show that there are as many as 175,000 veterans in the area, 
when including all of southern Colorado. This legislation will allow 
thousands of eligible southern Colorado military personnel, both active 
duty and retired as well as the many veterans living in the area, to 
have a chance to find their final resting place in the region so many 
of them have come to love and appreciate.
  This legislation has been influenced by the growing military retiree 
and veterans populations in the Pikes Peak region as well as community 
leaders and local Veterans Service Organizations who have repeatedly 
brought this issue to my attention over the last several years. It is 
important to note the passion and perseverance of those that have 
supported a National Veterans Cemetery and have worked tirelessly on 
the issue. This legislation is truly citizen-generated and is a 
testament to the dedication of veterans in the community.
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