MEASURE INCLUDES $20 MILLION STEARNS SOUGHT FOR CAMP BLANDING, FUNDING FOR GAINESVILLE VA MEDICAL CENTER AND JACKSONVILLE VA CEMETERY

Washington, May 26, 2005 - "I deeply appreciate the support of the House for fully funding my request for the Regional Training Institute at Camp Blanding," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  "In addition, the measure includes important funding for the VA Medical Center in Gainesville and money to acquire land for the VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area.  This measure pays tribute to those in military service now, and those who already served."

The House today approved H.R. 2528, the Military Quality of Life And Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which provides funds for military construction projects, the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other agencies.  The measure totals $85.2 billion, including $60.6 billion for the VA, an increase of 2.5% over the previous year, and $5.8 billion for military construction.  "I am pleased to support this increase in funding for veterans health programs by 1.7 billion to  $21 billion," added Stearns.  "Over the last two years, we have increased spending for VA medical care by 18%."

"H.R. 2528 also contains the $20 million I requested for phase II of the Regional Training Institute Complex at Camp Blanding," explained Stearns.  The Institute provides military specialty training, non-commissioned officer training, and the officer candidate school for the South East United States.  The current facilities are World War II vintage and are inadequate to meet daily needs."

Since 1996, Stearns has worked to locate a new VA cemetery in northeast Florida.  His language for this new cemetery was enacted in 2003.  "In addition, this measure has $41 million for land acquisition for six new VA cemeteries, including the one in the Jacksonville area.  This keeps us on track for opening this cemetery in 2009.  Finally, H.R. 2528 provides $76.4 million for new construction a the Gainesville VA Medical Center."