[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11451]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            DEDICATION OF THE SARASOTA VA NATIONAL CEMETERY

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                           HON. VERN BUCHANAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2008

  Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank the Sarasota 
National Veterans Cemetery Advisory Committee, which played a valuable 
role in the recent groundbreaking and dedication ceremony for the 
Sarasota VA National Cemetery.
  I also recognize cemetery director Sandra Beckly and VA Under 
Secretary William F. Tuerk for their involvement in the planning and 
celebration of this tremendous event. Furthermore, I want to express my 
deep appreciation to the estimated 3,000 people who gathered to 
celebrate this important milestone.
  The Sarasota VA National Cemetery is an honor to the sacrifices of 
the many soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and died on 
behalf of a grateful nation and to the accomplishments of all veterans 
whose service has allowed us to enjoy our American way of life.
  The people of Florida's 13th District have been closely monitoring 
the progress we have made to establish a new national cemetery in 
Sarasota County. The timely completion of this project is a primary 
concern for area veterans and is one of my highest priorities.
  We have 97,000 veterans in my congressional district and nearly 
400,000 veterans within the 75-mile radius that will be served by the 
new cemetery. Currently, the closest available VA cemetery is Florida 
National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, which is about 110 miles from 
the City of Sarasota.
  I look forward to the day when area veterans and qualified family 
members can be memorialized with the honor and respect they deserve 
close to home at the Sarasota VA Cemetery in Sarasota.

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