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First Congressional District of New Mexico
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ask.heather@mail.house.gov

In Washington DC
442 Cannon House
Office Building
Washington, DC
20515
202-225-6316 Phone
202-225-4975 Fax
In Albuquerque
20 First Plaza NW
Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM
87102
505-346-6781 Phone
505-346-6723 Fax

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Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico


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Legislation Passed To Extend Life Of Santa Fe Cemetery November 18, 1999
 
ALBUQUERQUE -- Congresswoman Heather Wilson and Senator Pete Domenici hailed House passage of H.R. 2116 which will expand the Veterans Affairs Department's long-term health care and open its facilities to more veterans. Rolled into the bill was S. 1182 authored by Domenici which extends the life of the Santa Fe National Cemetery by permitting the Secretary of Veterans' Affars to authorize the use of flat grave markers. "This legislation dovetails with our efforts to locate a national veterans cemetery in the Albuquerque area," Wilson said. "By placing flat headstones in Santa Fe, the life of that cemetery will be extended until 2008 or 2010. During that time we will have the opportunity to plan and get legislation through Congress to establish the Albuquerque site. "I'm pleased this legislation will soon become law. As much as we would like to continue using upright headstones, the grim fact is that the cemetery will run out of space unless changes are made," Domenici said. "This is an effort to guarantee that this hallowed ground will remain a viable resting place for New Mexico veterans." The Senate is expected to consider the legislation before adjournment. By using flat grave markers, a 4 x 8 foot site or 3 x 8 foot pre-set crypt would be used. Upright headstones require a 5 x 10 foot plot. For example, in a partially developed 3.6 acre site on the east side of the Santa Fe cemetery, the use of flat grave markers would mean space for 6,534 sites as opposed to 3,136 plots using upright headstones. Congress has authorized the use of flat grave markers at national cemeteries on six previous occasions. "One of the promises we made to those who have served is that they could be placed with their comrades when they died," Wilson said. "By carefully planning and passing legislation for a new cemetery we will be able to honor that promise for the almost 200,000 New Mexico veterans."
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