Rounds’ bill establishing veterans legacy grant program signed into law

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds’ (R-SD) bipartisan Memorializing Veterans Act became law on Jan. 17 with the president’s signature.

“I thank President Trump for signing into law our bipartisan bill that establishes a grant program to honor veterans’ legacies,” Sen. Rounds said on Jan. 24. “Sharing veterans’ stories of service and sacrifice is one way we can encourage the next generation to join the armed forces.”

Sen. Rounds cosponsored his chamber’s version of the bill, S. 3039, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) to establish a grant program to conduct cemetery research and produce educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Program, which is an educational initiative from the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that commemorates veterans interred in NCA cemeteries through partnerships with institutions of higher education.

The same-named H.R. 2385, introduced in April 2019 by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Conor Lamb (D-PA), received the president’s signature making the measure a federal law.

Sen. Rounds also noted that many of his home-state South Dakotans “have proudly served our country, and our legislation will help to preserve their memories so students and communities can learn more about their service and the sacrifices they made for the United States.”

The measure was endorsed by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).