S-1736.1          _______________________________________________

                            SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8019

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

By Senators Conner and Rasmussen.

Read first time February 28, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Governmental Operations.Requesting a national cemetery in Washington.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

     WHEREAS, The sons and daughters of the State of Washington have on countless occasions distinguished themselves in the service of their state and nation as members of the Armed and Auxiliary Forces of the United States of America; and

     WHEREAS, These citizens of the State of Washington have all too often suffered severe hardship, shed blood, and given their very lives in defending our country, our Constitution, and our way of life; and

     WHEREAS, It is right and fitting that Washington veterans and other eligible individuals be granted the opportunity of an honorable internment of their final remains in a National Cemetery located within the boundaries of their home State of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Washington is one of only twelve states that currently lacks a National Cemetery; and

     WHEREAS, A need for at least sixty-two thousand national cemetery gravesites has been projected for the Seattle-Tacoma area alone by the year 2030;

     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President of the United States and the United States Congress do direct and encourage the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a National Cemetery within the boundaries of the State of Washington, at the earliest possible date and after due consultation with the governor and legislature of the State of Washington, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Advisory Council, other state departments and agencies, the elected officials of affected Washington counties and municipalities, and representatives of veterans organizations from across Washington.

     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each member of Congress from the State of Washington.