WASHINGTON, NOV. 10, 2003 - "Since 1996, I have pushed for a Department of Veterans Affairs national cemetery in the Jacksonville area, and I am pleased that tomorrow President Bush will sign H.R. 1516, the National Cemetery Expansion Act," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-6th), Vice-Chairman of the Veterans Health Subcommittee. H.R. 1516 includes language from Stearns' bill, H.R. 197, directing the VA to establish a national cemetery in the Jacksonville metropolitan area. In addition to Jacksonville, H.R. 1516 provides for a VA cemetery in Sarasota, FL and four other locations.
According to the 2000 census the Veterans population in the Jacksonville area grew to 189,000, up sharply from 159,000 in the 1990 census. "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 northeastern Florida and southeastern Georgia home, this cemetery is essential." The White House informed Stearns that the President will sign the bill on Veterans Day.
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