GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 256*

Short Title:  Veterans Cemetery Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Hurley; Beard, Bowman, Greenwood, Jeralds, McAllister, Mercer, Stewart, and Warner.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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March 18, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VETERANS CEMETERY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE SEVENTH UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
Whereas, North Carolina has nearly 700,000 veterans of military service; and
Whereas, those veterans deserve the opportunity to be buried in a veterans cemetery in recognition of their service to our country; and
Whereas, by the end of 1991, three of the four national cemeteries in North Carolina will have no remaining space available, the Wilmington cemetery having closed at the end of 1987, the Raleigh cemetery closed in February 1989, and the New Bern facility will close by October 1991; and
Whereas, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has gone to a regional concept of national cemeteries, with the nearest regional facility being in the State of Alabama; and
Whereas, veterans deserve burial near their families and friends and deserve not to be transported to Alabama for burial; and
Whereas, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs matches state funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis to encourage states to build veterans cemeteries; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Veterans Affairs, Department of Administration, the sum of $400,000 for the 1991-92 fiscal year for fees, advanced planning, site improvements, and construction costs of a veterans cemetery to be established in the Seventh United States Congressional District in accordance with Article 8A of Chapter 65 of the General Statutes.
Sec. 2.  Funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act may be used for the extended employment of the project manager and administrative expenses.  The project manager shall be a time-limited position and serve during the duration of the construction phase.
Sec. 3.  Funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act that are not expended by the end of the 1991-92 fiscal year shall not revert, but shall be used for completion of the veterans cemetery during the 1992-93 fiscal year in accordance with Article 8A of Chapter 65 of the General Statutes.
Sec. 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1991.