SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 13

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

210th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED JANUARY 15, 2002

Sponsored by:

Senator LEONARD T. CONNORS, JR.

District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)

Senator DIANE ALLEN

District 7 (Burlington and Camden)

Assemblyman CHRISTOPHER J. CONNORS

District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)

Assemblyman JEFFREY W. MORAN

District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Cafiero, Assemblymen Barnes, Burzichelli, Caraballo, Chivukula, Conaway, Conners, Cryan, Diegnan, Doria, Egan, Green, Assemblywoman Greenstein, Assemblymen Guear, Hackett, Impreveduto, McKeon, Payne, Assemblywomen Perez-Cinciarelli, Pou, Quigley, Assemblymen Sarlo, Van Drew and Wisniewski

SYNOPSIS

    Memorializes US Department of Veterans' Affairs to locate new national cemetery in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

    As introduced.

(Sponsorship Updated As Of: 5/16/2003)

A Joint Resolution memorializing the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to locate a new national cemetery in New Jersey.

Whereas, Since the days of the Civil War, the federal government has honored veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorial to commemorate their service to our grateful nation; and

Whereas, Currently, the National Cemetery Administration is responsible for 119 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico; and

Whereas, The two national cemeteries located in New Jersey, Beverly National Cemetery, in Beverly (est. 1862) and Finn's Point National Cemetery, in Salem (est. 1875), have the capacity to inter only cremated remains for perhaps the next five to eight years; and

Whereas, Beverly and Finn's Point national cemeteries have little prospect for expansion; and

Whereas, Of New Jersey's over 600,000 veterans, 475,000 are age 50 or older and 287,000 are age 65 or older; and

Whereas, The National Cemetery Administration is currently in the process of establishing new national cemeteries and should give serious consideration to the needs of United States veterans currently residing in New Jersey; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The State of New Jersey solemnly memorializes the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to locate a national cemetery in New Jersey in order to expand burial space for the aging veteran population residing in New Jersey.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this joint resolution shall be transmitted to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs of the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, and each member of Congress elected thereto from New Jersey.

    3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This joint resolution memorializes the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to locate a new national cemetery in this State. Since the days of the Civil War, the Federal government has created national cemeteries to honor United States veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorial to commemorate their service to our grateful nation. The two national cemeteries located in this State, established in 1864 (Beverly National Cemetery, in Beverly) and 1875 (Finn's Point National Cemetery, in Salem) have nearly run out of space for interments, and have little possibility for expansion. Of this State's over 600,000 veterans, 475,000 are age 50 or older and 287,000 are age 65 or older.