Rounds’ bipartisan bill would provide federal grants for Veterans Legacy Program

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) on Dec. 12 introduced a bipartisan bill that would establish a federal grant program to conduct cemetery research and produce educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Program, an educational initiative under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that commemorates military veterans interred in national cemeteries.

“Many South Dakotans have proudly served our country,” Sen. Rounds said. “Sharing their stories can show our state’s young people the honor of serving in our Armed Forces.”

Under current law, institutions of higher education have difficulty obtaining and utilizing federal funding through the Veterans’ Legacy Program, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Rounds’ office.

The Memorializing Veterans Act, S. 3039, which Sen. Rounds cosponsored with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), would establish a grant program to administer funds more efficiently, facilitating research and developing educational tools to increase public awareness of veterans’ service and sacrifice, according to the summary.

“For more than 40 years, the United States has maintained its military superiority thanks to an all-volunteer force stepping up to the plate,” said Sen. Rounds. “Educating the next generation about the service and sacrifices made by our veterans is one way we can encourage young people to join the armed forces and continue this proud tradition.”

If enacted, S. 3039 would award grants to recipients such as institutions of higher learning, local education agencies, and nonprofits with a history of community engagement that could be used for research related to national, state or tribal veterans’ cemeteries, to produce educational materials, or to engage communities about the history of the veterans interred at those cemeteries, according to the summary.

The measure has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.