Washington,
Oct 29, 2003 -
Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-06) today praised the final House passage of H.R. 1516, The National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003, legislation which mandates a National Veterans Cemetery be located in Southeastern Pennsylvania by 2004. H.R. 1516 passed the House with a bi-partisan vote of 412 - 0 and is now on its way to the President for signature.
"I am very pleased H.R. 1516 has made it through Congress successfully and I now urge the President to sign this legislation into law. Similar legislation to H.R. 1516 has been introduced in past Congressional sessions and I am proud that the version I introduced this year has finally made it to the President," Gerlach said. "This fight has been going on for decades and it is now close to a fruitful resolution."
Congressman Gerlach's legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to designate a site for a National Veterans Cemetery in Southeastern Pennsylvania by the year 2004 and the site must be determined 120 days from enactment.
The burial options available to Southeastern Pennsylvania veterans are shamefully limited. The Philadelphia facility now only accepts cremated remains while the next closest veterans cemetery is Fort Indiantown Gap, over 60 miles away.
"The Philadelphia metropolitan area is home to over 400,000 veterans and it is unacceptable for them and their loved ones to have to travel long distances through badly congested traffic to visit the graves of their friends and family," Gerlach said. "This legislation gives our veterans and their families a more accessible facility."
"This legislation is a determined, bi-partisan effort to honor our veterans and give their loved ones piece of mind. In these times we are reminded daily of the sacrifices our veterans made and continue to make to keep our nation safe. We know the debt of gratitude we owe these men and women, and this legislation gives them the cemetery they deserve," said Gerlach.
