SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 129
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED OCTOBER 18, 2010
Sponsored by:
Senator JAMES BEACH
District 6 (Camden)
Senator CHRISTOPHER J. CONNORS
District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Whelan, Gordon and Allen
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to fully fund recently passed federal legislation increasing veteran plot allowances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee on March 10, 2011, with amendments.
A Concurrent Resolution urging the United States Congress to 1[pass] fully fund recently passed federal1 legislation increasing the federal plot or interment allowance 1[to cover a state’s full cost]1 to bury a veteran 1[and making veterans’ spouses and dependent children eligible for the allowance]1.
Whereas, This nation owes an incredible debt of gratitude to the members of our armed forces and their families for the tremendous sacrifice they have made in defense of our freedoms across the globe; and
Whereas, It is our national responsibility to ensure that every member of our armed forces, their spouses and dependent children are provided with a final resting place befitting their sacrifice, without burdening their family with financial concerns while they are grieving for a lost loved one; and
Whereas, The State of New Jersey has helped fulfill this responsibility by providing New Jersey’s valiant heroes, their spouses and dependent children a dedicated and well-maintained final resting place at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery; and
1[Whereas, Federal law (38 U.S.C. 2303) permits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a state only $300 as a plot or interment allowance for veterans buried in a state owned cemetery at no cost to the family and does not permit a payment for the burial of a veteran’s spouse or dependent child; and
Whereas, A veteran’s spouse and dependent children also make a tremendous sacrifice when supporting a member of our armed forces on active duty and therefore it is the federal government’s responsibility to cover the full cost of their interment as well; and]1
Whereas, The average cost to the State of New Jersey to bury an individual in Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery is $1,100; and
1Whereas, Federal legislation was recently passed increasing the veteran plot or interment allowance from $300 to $700, but no funding for the increase was provided; and1
Whereas, The shortfall created by 1[current] not funding the1 federal law 1will1 cost the State of New Jersey 1[$2,500,000 in 2009] millions of dollars1, in addition to the cost borne by the State to operate the cemetery and perpetually care for those interned there; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges the United States Congress to 1[pass] fully fund the recently passed federal1 legislation increasing the federal plot or interment allowance 1[to cover a state’s full cost]1 to bury a veteran 1[and making veterans’ spouses and dependent children eligible for the allowance] from $300 to $7001.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice-President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives and every member of Congress elected from this State.