Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2006
From: “Pete Conaty” Subject: Fw: Press Rls: Fort Ord Veterans Cemetery Bill Heads to Gov. for
Signature

The following update is from the CALIFORNIA STATE COMMANDERS VETERANS COUNCIL Legislative Consultant – Pete Conaty.

FYI - you do get noticed when you support bills:
Pete

From: Reefe, Chris

Subject: Press Rls: Fort Ord Veterans Cemetery Bill Heads to Gov. for Signature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
August 31, 2006 Bill Maxfield, (831) 596-0910

Fort Ord Veterans Cemetery Bill Heads to Governor for Signature

SACRAMENTO – By a vote of 75-0, the state legislature has given final approval for legislation authored by Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) to provide a plan to fund operations costs for a veterans cemetery to be built at the former Ford Ord. AB 3035 calls for the creation of an endowment fund into which donations would be deposited to fund cemetery operations costs. The bill now goes to Governor Schwarzenegger for his signature.

“More than twelve years ago, Central Coast veterans began the quest to provide veterans a local place of rest where their loved ones can go to give their respects,” said Jack Stewart, chairman of the County of Monterey Military and Veterans Affairs Commission. “We’ve come a long way, with an innovative endowment plan proposed through this bill and a non-profit foundation established in anticipation of the endowment fund. We heartily encourage Governor Schwarzenegger to sign this landmark legislation.”

“Thanks to the dogged efforts of local veterans, we’ve taken a major step closer to the cemetery becoming a reality,” said Mr. Laird. “This phase of the veterans cemetery story has been marked by determination, creative solutions and bi-partisan compromise. I’m hopeful the governor will take this project forward by signing the bill.”

Supporters of AB 3035 include:
• Air Force Sergeants Association
• Armed Forces Retirees Association of California
• California Association of County Veterans’ Service Officers
• California State Commanders Veterans Council
• County of Monterey
• Ford Ord Reuse Authority
• Jewish War Veterans of the USA
• Legion of Valor
• Marine Corps League
• Military Order of the Purple Heart
• Monterey County Military and Veterans Commission
• Monterey County United Veterans Council
• National Guard Association of California
• Paralyzed Veterans of America
• Reserve Officers Association
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Vietnam Veterans of America

Once the State Controller determines adequate funds are available for operation of the cemetery, the legislation will trigger the California Department of Veterans Affairs to develop and submit a State Veterans Cemetery Grant Program application to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Approval of the application would lead to federal construction of the cemetery, with operations to be funded by the State of California using funds raised through the proposed endowment.

AB 3035 enjoys bi-partisan support from local legislators, including principal co-authors Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) and Assemblymember Simon Salinas (D-Salinas), and co-author Senator Abel Maldonado (D-Santa Maria).
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For the beginning of this effort by Cal-MOAA Central California Coast Chapter click on
these URLs:
http://www.cal-moaa.org/blog/2006/05/14/fort-ord-cemetery

http://www.cal-moaa.org/blog/2006/05/30/new-development

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