WASHINGTON, JULY 21, 2003 - "After years of work, I am grateful that the House has approved my language to locate a veterans cemetery in the Jacksonville area," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "This legislation will meet the needs of the area's growing veterans population."
The House today approved H.R. 1516, the National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003, which included language from Stearns' legislation, H.R. 197, establishing a veterans cemetery in Jacksonville. In addition to Jacksonville, H.R. 1516 establishes a cemetery in Bakersfield, CA; Birmingham, AL; Greenville/Columbia, SC; and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Stearns first offered legislation to site a VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area in 1996. In addition, he offered legislation for a Jacksonville cemetery in the 107th Congress. "Florida has the nation's second largest veterans population and the oldest population," explained Stearns. "Yet the closest open VA cemetery is a three-hour drive. With some 325,000 veterans calling the Jacksonville area home, this cemetery is essential."
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