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BOARD OF SUPERV~54RS
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Resolufion N'o. 99-44
RESOLUTION OF THE BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SUPPORTING SENATE BILL #4 {JOHANNESSEN) REGARDING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE-OWNED AND OPERATED
VETERANS' CEMETERY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, the northernmost veterans' cemetery is currently located in San Joaquin
County, at a distance which does not provide reasonable access for veterans and their families in
Northern California counties; and
WHEREAS, there are an estimated half-million veterans and their spouses living in the
ten Northern California Counties, with many veterans in their '70s and 80s who served in Worid
War II and the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, the veterans of the Viet Nam War, Desert Storm and other conflicts also
deserve the peace of mind of a final resting place near their homes and families; and
WHEREAS, current law provides for the Federal government to fund 100 percent of the
construction and initial equipping costs of a new State veterans cemetery, but does not provide
funding for maintenance or operations; and
WHEREAS, current law also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs, in voluntary
cooperation with the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, to develop a proposal for aState-
owned and operated veterans' cemetery in Shasta County; and
WHEREAS, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors has been tivorking diligently
toward the establishment of a Northern California veterans' cemetery for the past 10 years,
including setting aside 320 acres for a potential cemetery, ~~°ith the initial phase to occupy 80
acres: and
WHEREAS, Shasta County has obtained commitments from the Shasta County Sheriff s
Office, the Shasta County Probation Department, the California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection, and labor unions--among them the Operating Engineers, Electricians, Sheet Metal
Workers, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, Carpenters, Cement and Masonry Workers and Pile
Drivers-for the long term provision of volunteer labor and support services to reduce the cost of
operating the cemetery; and
WHEREAS,. Senate Bill #4 (Johannessen) would establish a Northern California
Veterans' Cemetery Perpetual Maintenance Fund as a continuously appropriated fund to be used
to maintain the cemetery once it is completed and operating; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill #4 (Johannessen} would also appropriate $520,000 from the
General Fund to provide the Department of Veterans' Affairs $70,000 far a temporary staff
position and $450,000 to the Northern California Veterans' Cemetery Master Development Fund
for the design, development, and construction of the veterans' cemetery.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Butte County Board of Supervisors
strongly supports Senate Bill #4 (Johannessen) regarding the establishment and funding of a
State-owned and operated veterans' cemetery in Shasta County.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 23"~ day of
Mareh 1999 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Zieeler, Houx, Josassen, Davis and Chair Dolan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: None
,~
ANE DOLAN, Chair
Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
JOHN S. BLACKLOC~K, Chief Administrative Officer
and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
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