Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to authorize the creation of the Elko Veterans Cemetery. The senator’s legislation would authorize the transfer of administrative jurisdiction for the land needed to construct the burial site from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for use as a national cemetery.
“Elko’s veterans and community leaders have been working for over seven years to get approval for a much-needed veterans cemetery in Eastern Nevada” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Currently, the nearest national cemetery is over 250 miles away in Fernley. It’s long past time we approve this transfer of land and allow the city of Elko and the surrounding region the chance to lay their brave veterans to rest close to their home and loved ones.”
“Nevada’s veteran community in Elko has worked tirelessly for years to have a national veterans cemetery nearby,” said Senator Rosen. “This legislation would assist our Elko veterans in their mission, giving them the chance to be honorably laid to rest in their own community near to friends and family.”
BACKGROUND:
In 2013 the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) approved the construction of a veterans cemetery in Elko, Nevada. In order for the VA to acquire the land needed to expand the cemetery, Congress must approve a land transfer from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the VA. The Elko National Cemetery Act would authorize this transfer of land and finally allow the city of Elko to begin construction on this crucial burial option for Nevada’s rural veterans.
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