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April 27, 1999 Dear Colleague: I invite you to cosponsor H.R. 1476, the National Cemeteries Act of 1999 which I recently introduced. This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs to establish three new national cemeteries. Each of these new cemeteries would be established in an area of the country, determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to be most in need of cemetery space to serve veterans and their families. The number of veterans who lack adequate access to burial in a national cemetery will increase during the next decade and the Department of Veterans Affairs has not demonstrated a commitment to establishing obviously-needed new national cemeteries. When we on the Veterans Affairs Committee finally agreed last year to enact legislation requested by the VA to enhance the State Cemetery Grants Program, it was only after the Department assured the Committee that the state program would continue to simply supplement the national cemetery system – not replace it. However, the Administration FY 2000 budget for VA failed to include a request for the funding required to initiate any of the needed new national cemeteries. As a result of the Department failing to demonstrate its commitment to the needed expansion of the national cemetery system by including funding for at least one new cemetery in the FY 2000 budget request, I have introduced H.R. 1476. On May 31st of this year, many Americans will attend Memorial Day observances at our national cemeteries. We will, with humility and thanks, pay sincere respect to those whose sacrifices and dedication have protected the ideals on which America was founded. We will remember the more than 42 million patriots who, through two centuries and too many wars, have taken up arms to defend America and to guarantee that the blessings of liberty are secure. Remembering, however, is not enough. We as a nation must also meet our historic commitment to provide health care, compensation, and readjustment assistance to the living -- and provide a hallowed final resting place for our American heroes when they die. Please contact Beth Kilker or Jill Cochran at 225-9756 or by e-mail at beth.kilker@mail.house.gov if you would like to cosponsor H.R. 1476.Sincerely, LANE EVANS |