SJR 26: Mare Island Naval Cemetery.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2018-06-26
The measure would urge the United States Congress to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards.
The measure would urge the United States Congress to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards.
The measure would urge the United States Congress to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards.
WHEREAS, The Mare Island Naval Cemetery is the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast, and the final resting place for over 900 veterans; and
WHEREAS, The cemetery is a national sanctuary and should be maintained to the highest standards in honor of the military heroes who are buried there; and
WHEREAS, The Navy was forced to close the Mare Island facility under the United States governments Base Realignment and Closure program in 1996 and deeded portions of Mare Islands physical property and facilities, including the Mare Island Naval Cemetery, to the City of Vallejo; and
WHEREAS, The Navy did not provide funds to maintain and provide for the perpetual care of the cemetery, and therefore the cemetery became the City of Vallejos responsibility; and
WHEREAS, The City of Vallejo has experienced significant financial difficulties and has been unable to maintain the cemetery to the standards expected of a facility where veterans are laid to rest, which has resulted in a continual deterioration of the site since 1996; and
WHEREAS, The South Napa earthquake added to the physical deterioration of the cemetery by knocking down some headstones and breaking others; and
WHEREAS, The National Park Service, in May 1975, listed Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a National Historic Landmark, and a park with hiking paths has been established at the western end of the island where the cemetery is located; and
WHEREAS, A petition has been created by veterans and concerned visitors with over 54,000 signatures, encouraging United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ownership and the restoration of the cemetery; and
WHEREAS, The City of Vallejo does not have the funds to restore the cemetery and has formally requested the federal government reassume ownership of the cemetery, without compensation to the city; and
WHEREAS, Representative Mike Thompson has introduced legislation (H.R. 5588) in the United States House of Representatives that will direct the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek an agreement with the City of Vallejo, under which the city would transfer control of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery to the VA; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the Congress of the United States to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards; and be it further
Resolved, That the National Cemetery Administration provide continuing care for those interned in the cemetery, including those who are not veterans or eligible family members; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
WHEREAS, The Mare Island Naval Cemetery is the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast, and the final resting place for over 900 veterans; and
WHEREAS, The cemetery is a national sanctuary and should be maintained to the highest standards in honor of the military heroes who are buried there; and
WHEREAS, The Navy was forced to close the Mare Island facility under the United States governments Base Realignment and Closure program in 1996 and deeded portions of Mare Islands physical property and facilities, including the Mare Island Naval Cemetery, to the City of Vallejo; and
WHEREAS, The Navy did not provide funds to maintain and provide for the perpetual care of the cemetery, and therefore the cemetery became the City of Vallejos responsibility; and
WHEREAS, The City of Vallejo has experienced significant financial difficulties and has been unable to maintain the cemetery to the standards expected of a facility where veterans are laid to rest, which has resulted in a continual deterioration of the site since 1996; and
WHEREAS, The South Napa earthquake added to the physical deterioration of the cemetery by knocking down some headstones and breaking others; and
WHEREAS, The National Park Service, in May 1975, listed Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a National Historic Landmark, and a park with hiking paths has been established at the western end of the island where the cemetery is located; and
WHEREAS, A petition has been created by veterans and concerned visitors with over 54,000 signatures, encouraging United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ownership and the restoration of the cemetery; and
WHEREAS, The City of Vallejo does not have the funds to restore the cemetery and has formally requested the federal government reassume ownership of the cemetery, without compensation to the city; and
WHEREAS, Representative Mike Thompson has introduced legislation (H.R. 5588) in the United States House of Representatives that will direct the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek an agreement with the City of Vallejo, under which the city would transfer control of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery to the VA; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the Congress of the United States to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards; and be it further
Resolved, That the National Cemetery Administration provide continuing care for those interned in the cemetery, including those who are not veterans or eligible family members; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
WHEREAS, The Mare Island Naval Cemetery is the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast, and the final resting place for over 900 veterans; and
WHEREAS, The cemetery is a national sanctuary and should be maintained to the highest standards in honor of the military heroes who are buried there; and
WHEREAS, The Navy was forced to close the Mare Island facility under the United States governments Base Realignment and Closure program in 1996 and deeded portions of Mare Islands physical property and facilities, including the Mare Island Naval Cemetery, to the City of Vallejo; and
WHEREAS, The Navy did not provide funds to maintain and provide for the perpetual care of the cemetery, and therefore the cemetery became the City of Vallejos responsibility; and
WHEREAS, The City of Vallejo has experienced significant financial difficulties and has been unable to maintain the cemetery to the standards expected of a facility where veterans are laid to rest, which has resulted in a continual deterioration of the site since 1996; and
WHEREAS, The South Napa earthquake added to the physical deterioration of the cemetery by knocking down some headstones and breaking others; and
WHEREAS, The National Park Service, in May 1975, listed Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a National Historic Landmark, and a park with hiking paths has been established at the western end of the island where the cemetery is located; and
WHEREAS, A petition has been created by veterans and concerned visitors with over 54,000 signatures, encouraging United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ownership and the restoration of the cemetery; and
WHEREAS, The City of Vallejo does not have the funds to restore the cemetery and has formally requested the federal government reassume ownership of the cemetery, without compensation to the city; and
WHEREAS, Representative Mike Thompson has introduced legislation (H.R. 5588) in the United States House of Representatives that will direct the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek an agreement with the City of Vallejo, under which the city would transfer control of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery to the VA; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the Congress of the United States to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards; and be it further
Resolved, That the National Cemetery Administration provide continuing care for those interned in the cemetery, including those who are not veterans or eligible family members; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2018 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 109, Statutes of 2018. |
| Jun 26, 2018 | Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State at 2:30 p.m. |
| Jun 19, 2018 | In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Jun 18, 2018 | Read. Adopted. Ordered to the Senate. |
| Jun 13, 2018 | From committee: Be adopted. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 12). |
| May 31, 2018 | Referred to Com. on V.A. |
| May 21, 2018 | In Assembly. Held at Desk. |
| May 21, 2018 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| May 16, 2018 | From committee: Ordered to third reading. |
| May 9, 2018 | Introduced. Referred to Com. on RLS. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2018 | SJR 26 Dodd Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 12, 2018 | Be adopted. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs |
Passed |
|
| May 21, 2018 | Senate 3rd Reading SJR26 Dodd et al. | Senate Floor |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| City Of Vallejo | ** Support | Jun 11, 2018 |
Date of Hearing: June 12, 2018
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
SBPCA Bill Id:SJR 26
Author:(Dodd) – As Introduced Ver:May 9, 2018
SENATE VOTE: 38-0
SUBJECT: Mare Island Naval Cemetery
SUMMARY: Urges the United States Congress to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Among other duties, the VA is authorized to assist every veteran of any war of the United States and the dependent or survivor of every veteran in presenting and pursuing claims against the United States that the veteran may have arising from war service and in establishing the veteran’s or dependent’s right to privilege, preference, care, or compensation as provided for by federal or state law, as specified.
- Establishes the National Cemetery Administration within the VA to maintain 131 of the 147 national cemeteries.
- Establishes the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials to furnish consultation and advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the administration of the national cemeteries, soldier's lots and plots which are the responsibility of the Secretary, and regarding the selection of new national cemetery construction sites, the erection of appropriate memorials and the adequacy of Federal funding for operation of the National Cemetery Administration.
FISCAL EFFECT: None.
COMMENTS:
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces and Veterans who have met minimum active duty service requirements, as applicable, and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty under certain circumstances are also eligible for burial, as are service members and former service members who were eligible for retired pay at the time of their death.
A Veteran's spouse, widow or widower, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities, may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran.
VA provides the gravesite, grave liner, opening and closing of the grave, government headstone or marker, U.S. burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate and perpetual care of the gravesite at no cost to the family.
VA operates 135 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites in 40 states and Puerto Rico. More than 4 million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA's national cemeteries. VA also provides funding to establish, expand, improve and maintain 105 Veterans cemeteries in 47 states and territories including tribal trust lands, Guam, and Saipan. For Veterans not buried in a VA national cemetery, VA provides headstones, markers or medallions to commemorate their service. In 2016, VA honored more than 345,000 Veterans and their loved ones with memorial benefits in national, state, tribal and private cemeteries.
According to the author:
“Mare island naval cemetery is the oldest military cemetery on the west coast, and the final resting place for 900 military heroes. The cemetery became the responsibility of the city of Vallejo when the navy closed the Mare Island Naval Base in 1996. Nearly all military cemeteries are owned and operated by the V.A. However, the V.A. did not assume responsibility for Mare Island. Vallejo cannot afford the cemetery maintenance, and the facility has fallen into serious disrepair. HR 5588 has been introduced in congress, and authorizes the V.A. to accept title to the cemetery, at no cost, to operate the cemetery, and restore the grounds in a manner that will honor our fallen veterans. We always owe our veterans a decent resting place at the end of a life of service, and it is appropriate that the California state legislature express its support for HR 5588”.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
City of Vallejo
Opposition
None on File
Analysis Prepared by: Jenny Callison / V.A. / (916) 319-3550
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SJR 26 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SJR 26
Introduced: 5/9/18
SUBJECT: Mare Island Naval Cemetery
DIGEST:
This resolution urges the United States Congress to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- The Mare Island Naval Cemetery is the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast, and the final resting place for over 900 veterans. The cemetery is a national sanctuary and should be maintained to the highest standards in honor of the military heroes who are buried there.
- The Navy was forced to close the Mare Island facility under the United States government’s Base Realignment and Closure program in 1996 and deeded portions of Mare Island’s physical property and facilities, including the Mare Island Naval Cemetery, to the City of Vallejo. The Navy did not provide funds to maintain and provide for the perpetual care of the cemetery, and therefore the cemetery became the City of Vallejo’s responsibility.
- The City of Vallejo has experienced significant financial difficulties and has been unable to maintain the cemetery to the standards expected of a facility where veterans are laid to rest, which has resulted in a continual deterioration of the site since 1996.
- The City of Vallejo does not have the funds to restore the cemetery and has formally requested the federal government reassume ownership of the cemetery, without compensation to the city. A petition has been created by veterans and concerned visitors with over 54,000 signatures, encouraging United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ownership and the restoration of the cemetery.
- Representative Mike Thompson has introduced legislation (H.R. 5588) in the United States House of Representatives that will direct the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek an agreement with the City of Vallejo, under which the city would transfer control of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery to the VA.
This resolution urges the Congress of the United States to act favorably in regard to legislation to have the Mare Island Naval Cemetery transferred to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and that the National Cemetery Administration restore the cemetery to national cemetery standards and provide for perpetual care of the facility as dictated by those standards; and that the National Cemetery Administration provide continuing care for those interned in the cemetery, including those who are not veterans or eligible family members
Comments
According to the author:
The cemetery should be maintained to the highest standards for the military heroes who are buried there. Unfortunately, it has suffered physical deterioration over the years and the city of Vallejo can no longer afford to shoulder the costs of its upkeep. I believe the Department of Veterans Affairs is best positioned to restore the cemetery and provide perpetual care for this hallowed place.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
City of Vallejo
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/14/18)
None received
Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520
5/16/18 15:31:39
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
