For immediate release: November 2, 2009
Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Contact: (202) 536-6190
Edward Stern, Deputy Press Secretary
Salazar’s Southern Colorado Veterans Cemetery Bill Sails Through the House
WASHINGTON, DC –For many years, Colorado Congressional members have tried to pass legislation that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to construct a national cemetery in southern Colorado. Today was the second time such a bill was approved by the full U.S. House of Representatives, thanks to the leadership of John Salazar (CO-3). Salazar’s bill passed by voice vote.
“This is a great day for Colorado veterans,” said Congressman Salazar, who served in the Army. “A national cemetery in southern Colorado is a way to give thanks to our veterans who served our country with honor. I call on my colleagues in the Senate to move swiftly in passing this legislation and sending it to the President to sign.”
Last Congress, the House passed the same legislation, but the Senate was unable to act. Congressman Salazar is working with Senator Michael Bennett to get the bill through this Congress.
The bill would create a new national cemetery for southern Colorado veterans that would be located in the Pikes Peak region. Currently, the state has the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver and the Fort Lyon National Cemetery near Las Animas.
Salazar proposed H.R. 174 out of concern for the difficulty and distance it takes aging veterans and their families to drive to Denver to visit a loved one’s grave and to serve the growing population of veterans in the region.
Veterans groups that have worked to build support for this bill include the Colorado chapters of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Association for Service Disabled Veterans.
“We are faced with a situation where current standards place many VA cemeteries closer to large metropolitan areas. In Colorado, there are 150,000 veterans in the 29 designated southern Colorado counties that are waiting for an accessible veterans cemetery. It is time to give it to them,” concluded Salazar.
“This is a great day for Colorado veterans,” said Congressman Salazar, who served in the Army. “A national cemetery in southern Colorado is a way to give thanks to our veterans who served our country with honor. I call on my colleagues in the Senate to move swiftly in passing this legislation and sending it to the President to sign.”
Last Congress, the House passed the same legislation, but the Senate was unable to act. Congressman Salazar is working with Senator Michael Bennett to get the bill through this Congress.
The bill would create a new national cemetery for southern Colorado veterans that would be located in the Pikes Peak region. Currently, the state has the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver and the Fort Lyon National Cemetery near Las Animas.
Salazar proposed H.R. 174 out of concern for the difficulty and distance it takes aging veterans and their families to drive to Denver to visit a loved one’s grave and to serve the growing population of veterans in the region.
Veterans groups that have worked to build support for this bill include the Colorado chapters of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Association for Service Disabled Veterans.
“We are faced with a situation where current standards place many VA cemeteries closer to large metropolitan areas. In Colorado, there are 150,000 veterans in the 29 designated southern Colorado counties that are waiting for an accessible veterans cemetery. It is time to give it to them,” concluded Salazar.
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