National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1516
Sponsor: Rep. Gerlach, Jim [R-PA-6]
Introduced: 2003-03-31 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alabama
California
Cemeteries and funerals
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Florida
Government Operations and Politics
Land transfers
Military parks
Pennsylvania
Public Lands and Natural Resources
South Carolina

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-31
text: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in southeastern Pennsylvania (the city of Philadelphia and specified neighboring counties).
Authorizes the Governor of Pennsylvania to establish a blue-ribbon panel to recommend a site for such cemetery.
action_date: 2003-07-10
text: 
National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, within four years after the enactment of this Act, to establish five new cemeteries, one each to be located in the following areas: (1) Southeastern Pennsylvania (the city of Philadelphia and specified neighboring counties); (2) Birmingham, Alabama; (3) Jacksonville, Florida; (4) Bakersfield, California; and (5) Greenville/Columbia, South Carolina.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) solicit the advice and views of State and local veterans organizations representatives in determining specific cemetery sites; (2) submit an initial report to Congress on the establishment of such cemeteries; and (3) submit annual implementation reports until all five cemeteries are completed and have opened.

action_date: 2003-07-21
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 10, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, within four years after the enactment of this Act, to establish five new cemeteries, one each to be located in the following areas: (1) Southeastern Pennsylvania (the city of Philadelphia and specified neighboring counties); (2) Birmingham, Alabama; (3) Jacksonville, Florida; (4) Bakersfield, California; and (5) Greenville/Columbia, South Carolina.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) solicit the advice and views of State and local veterans organizations representatives in determining specific cemetery sites; (2) submit an initial report to Congress on the establishment of such cemeteries; and (3) submit annual implementation reports until all five cemeteries are completed and have opened.

action_date: 2003-10-14
text: 
National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, within four years after the enactment of this Act, to establish six new cemeteries, one each to be located in the following areas: (1) Southeastern Pennsylvania (the city of Philadelphia and specified neighboring counties); (2) Birmingham, Alabama; (3) Jacksonville, Florida; (4) Bakersfield, California; (5) Greenville/Columbia, South Carolina; and (6) Sarasota County, Florida.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) solicit the advice and views of State and local veterans organizations representatives in determining specific cemetery sites; (2) submit an initial report to Congress on the establishment of such cemeteries; and (3) submit annual implementation reports until all six cemeteries are completed and have opened.

action_date: 2003-10-17
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on October 14, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, within four years after the enactment of this Act, to establish six new cemeteries, one each to be located in the following areas: (1) Southeastern Pennsylvania (the city of Philadelphia and specified neighboring counties); (2) Birmingham, Alabama; (3) Jacksonville, Florida; (4) Bakersfield, California; (5) Greenville/Columbia, South Carolina; and (6) Sarasota County, Florida.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) solicit the advice and views of State and local veterans organizations representatives in determining specific cemetery sites; (2) submit an initial report to Congress on the establishment of such cemeteries; and (3) submit annual implementation reports until all six cemeteries are completed and have opened.

action_date: 2003-11-11
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on October 14, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, within four years after the enactment of this Act, to establish six new cemeteries, one each to be located in the following areas: (1) Southeastern Pennsylvania (the city of Philadelphia and specified neighboring counties); (2) Birmingham, Alabama; (3) Jacksonville, Florida; (4) Bakersfield, California; (5) Greenville/Columbia, South Carolina; and (6) Sarasota County, Florida.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) solicit the advice and views of State and local veterans organizations representatives in determining specific cemetery sites; (2) submit an initial report to Congress on the establishment of such cemeteries; and (3) submit annual implementation reports until all six cemeteries are completed and have opened.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-11
text: Became Public Law No: 108-109.
action_date: 2003-11-11
text: Became Public Law No: 108-109.
action_date: 2003-11-11
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2003-11-11
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2003-10-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2003-10-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 577). (consideration: CR H10054-10058, H10080-10081)
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 577).(consideration: CR H10054-10058, H10080-10081)
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 1516.
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.
action_date: 2003-10-20
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2003-10-17
text: Passed Senate with amendments and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12853; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S12853; text as passed Senate: CR S12853)
action_date: 2003-10-17
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12853; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S12853; text as passed Senate: CR S12853)
action_date: 2003-10-14
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 307.
action_date: 2003-10-14
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Specter with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 108-164.
action_date: 2003-10-14
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Specter with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 108-164.
action_date: 2003-09-30
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2003-07-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 0 (Roll no. 399). (text: CR H7189-7190)
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 0 (Roll no. 399).(text: CR H7189-7190)
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7196)
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1516.
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7189-7192)
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: Mr. Simmons moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2003-07-10
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 103.
action_date: 2003-07-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-199.
action_date: 2003-07-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-199.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-06-11
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2003-04-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.
action_date: 2003-03-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-03-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-31
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 108-109