BUDGET INCLUDES $41 MILLION FOR JACKSONVILLE-AREA CEMETERY AND FIVE OTHERS AROUND THE NATION

Washington, Feb 9, 2005 - "The President's budget proposal includes the largest expansion of the National Cemetery System since the Civil War," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-6th). "I am especially pleased that the President is requesting approximately $7 million to acquire the land for the new national cemetery in the Jacksonville area."

The National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003, which was signed into law, included language from Stearns legislation establishing a new VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area. Stearns has been pushing for a cemetery in northeast Florida since 1996. The law requires the VA to open the new cemetery by 2007. In addition to the Jacksonville area, the measure establishes five other cemeteries throughout the nation.

The VA currently is in the site selection process and is negotiating with a firm to conduct the environmental assessments (EAs) on the most promising sites," added Stearns. "The EAs should be completed by the end of the year and construction is scheduled to start in 2006. Although I would like to see the cemetery located in the Sixth Congressional District, the site that best serves the veterans in our area should be the final consideration."