Gwen Graham: “Today the House passed important legislation that has already unanimously passed the Senate and authorizes the…”

“Today the House passed important legislation that has already unanimously passed the Senate and authorizes the construction of six new national veterans cemeteries. By passing this bill, we ensure that America's veterans and their families have access to the burial honors they have earned. The brave men and women who fought for our nation are a population that is aging rapidly. In 2002, America lost 646,264 veterans. Projections show that this rate will continue to climb through the year 2008, when we are expected to lose over 700,000 veterans. By the end of 2004, only 64 of the 124 veterans national cemeteries will be available for both casketed and cremated remains. As cemetery service capabilities decrease, veterans in areas near cemeteries that are at capacity will lose access to burial options within a reasonable distance of their homes. In order to ensure that burial options are provided for veterans and their family members, we must develop new cemeteries and expand existing cemeteries. This process must start as soon as possible because the construction of a new cemetery takes an average of seven years.”