[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19895]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS BURIAL FAIRNESS ACT OF 2003

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. I rise today to introduce the Native 
American Veterans Cemetery Act of 2003. This bill would make all Native 
American tribes eligible to apply for state cemetery grants. Under the 
current law, only states are eligible for veteran's cemetery grants. 
Supported by the Navajo Nation, the largest federally recognized tribe, 
this bill would not give preference or special exceptions to Native 
American tribes that apply for the state cemetery grants. It would 
simply allow tribes to apply for grants to establish, expand or improve 
tribal veterans cemeteries.
  In addition to a resolution adopted by the Navajo Nation Council, the 
New Mexico and Arizona state legislatures have both passed memorials 
urging Congress to adopt this measure. New Mexico is home to almost 
9,800 Native American Veterans, making it one of the top five states in 
the country with regard to its Native American veteran population. I 
believe it is time that Native American veterans who have served our 
country so honorably are allowed to pursue a decent, dignified resting 
place on their tribal lands.

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