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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEmbargoed for Congressional Notification

December XX210, 2001AugustSeptember 4 XX, 2002

VA Announces Possible SiteLand Purchase for Future National Cemetery

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has completed purchased 313 acres in southern Palm Beach County near Boca Raton an

environmental assessment of three possible sites forto build a future national cemetery in sSouth Florida and has identified one as its tentative primary choiceto serve south Florida's veterans.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi announced the landmark event today at a ceremony marking VA's signing of the sales contract with the land owner's representative, ____________. The federal government will pay $11,250,000_______.

"For many years, South Florida has been on VA's priority list for building a much needed national cemetery to serve nearly 438 more than 350,000 veterans," Principi said. "We're glad we now have the right property to convert this goal to reality in a relatively short time."

He said VA expects to begin interments in two years, even before the cemetery is fully built.

The site is west of U.S. Highway 441 and state road 7, within five miles of Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 95 interchanges. VA officials described it being in a "no- growth" zone compatible A Palm Beach County site of 313 acres within five miles of Florida’s Turnpike and Interstate 95 interchanges was picked as the "preferred" site. TVA reports reports that the sitelocation it is in a no- growth zone with compatible adjacent land uses and low residential density.

Florida's congressional delegation, local, state and federal officials, plus leaders of the state's veterans service organizations were invited to participate in the ceremony.

VA's outgoing Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Robin L. Higgins, formerly executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, also participated in the ceremony, which included (?GovernorJeb Bush, Rep._____ and______).

VA's finding that development of the cemetery will have no significant adverse impact on the environment, and publication of a report on the environmental assessment, mark the beginning of a 30-day public comment period that will end January 15. After considering the comments, VA will make a final decision on the site before purchasing the land.After that, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi will make a final decision before VA purchases the land.

"For many years South Florida has been on VA's priority list for building a much needed national cemetery to serve more than 350,000 veterans. I'm pleased that we now have the means to move ahead," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.

VA's Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Robin L. Higgins was,, who until until earliery this year, was eexecutive director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

, will make a recommendation regarding the site to Principi after the 30-day public comment period.

"I'm well aware that hHaving a new cemetery in southern Florida has been an important goal for veterans for for Florida veterans had been my prime goal for several years,” she addedsaid. “A new cemetery willDeveloping it now fulfills a long dream of mine and other veterans, while honoring honor our this nation's promise of a hallowed resting place for those who served."

Funds to purchase the land were provided in the fiscal 2001 federal budget. VA's recently approved budget for 2002 budget included funds to begin for designing the cemetery. VA expects to aHiggins said VA anticipates awarding a contract for master planning and design later this yearin about (approx. when. President Bush's fiscal year 2003 budget for VA requested $23.3 million for VA to build the cemetery. Construction of its permanent buildings and roadways and 120,000 burial sites shcould be completed in 2005.Additional funding will be required for construction.

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South Florida Veterans Cemetery – 2

Two VA studies since 1987 identified Ssouth Florida as an area with a large number of veterans not served by a national or state veterans' cemetery.

Thirteen potential sites in Florida were evaluated in 2000. Ten were eliminated from further consideration because they were not large enough, were too far from population centers or highway access, or were no longer available.

Two VA studies since 1987 identified South Florida among the country's areas with a large number of veterans not served by a national or state veterans' cemetery. with burial space

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Florida Veterans Cemetery – 2

South Florida Veterans Cemetery – 2

available. In another study, VA found the focal point of the largest number of veterans who could be served by a national cemetery no further than 75 miles from their homes to be in southern Palm Beach County near Boca Raton. The area encompasses parts of 10 counties. Thirteen potential sites there were evaluated. Ten were eliminated from further consideration because they weren't not large enough, were too far from population centers or highway access, or were no longer available. became unavailable during the selection.

The three remaining sites -- all in Palm Beach County --that met most of VA's criteria were studied in the an environmental assessment, which included a detailed study of each site and of the effects of a new cemetery upon the community.. All are in Palm Beach County. The VA announced last December that it preferred the property it has now selected, citing its highpreferred site had the most highest number of positive characteristics, including. In addition to having good access to highways, highgreatest yieldcapacity for casketed gravesites nearly all of the land is useable for burial and has mature vegetation.

If a site is acquiredpurchased early in 2002, first burials could take place in 2004 with under a "fast-track" system. This system allows burials before the entire cemetery is completedconstruction, pending availability of necessary construction funding. assuming Congress approves the necessary funds. Another year would be required to build the cemetery's permanent buildings and roadways. VA will plan for more than 120,000 burial sites providing gravesites on the property that is selected for purchase. That space should provide interments until 2040. VA expects that approximately half of the interments will be cremations. of cremated remains.

The environmental assessment report on the three sites may be viewed at the Palm Beach County main library or the county Planning planning Departmentdepartment, or on the Internet at ftp.SoFlorida. Comments and requests for copies of the report should be directed to: Michael Elliott (401B), Office of Construction Management, National Cemetery Administration, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20420.

Presently, VA's Florida national cemeteries with space remaining for full-casket burials are in the central part of the state at Bushnell and in the panhandle at Pensacola. TIn addition, the national cemetery at St. Augustine is open to burials only of family members in existing graves and the cemetery at Bay Pines accommodates only family members of those already interred and cremation burials, and the St. Augustine National Cemetery buries only family members of veterans already interred..

Nationwide, VA operates 120 national cemeteries. All veterans with discharges other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children are eligible for burial in VA national cemeteries. Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from a VA web site on the Internet at , at VA regional offices or toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.

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