Womack, Hill release bill to expand Arkansas veterans’ cemetery

U.S. Reps. Steve Womack (R-AR) and French Hill (R-AR) are among a Republican contingent from Arkansas who support a bicameral bill that would enlarge a military veterans’ cemetery in their home state.

“By allowing for the expansion of Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, this bill ensures that our brave veterans can be laid to rest among their comrades in uniform for generations to come,” Rep. Womack said. “It’s an honor they earned through service, and I call on Congress to swiftly approve this proposal.”

If enacted, H.R. 2033/S. 986 would release to the State of Arkansas a reversionary interest in Camp Joseph T. Robinson, according to the congressional record, essentially transferring more than 140 acres of land from Camp Robinson to the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, which then would expand the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.

U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) and Rep. Hill on April 2 introduced the measure in their respective chambers, which both referred the bill to their Armed Services Committees for consideration.

“This is a commonsense solution that helps the Army Guard and the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs,” Sen. Boozman said. “The land is costly to maintain and not useful to the guard for training. It will provide a valuable expansion of burial space for veterans.”

Rep. Hill called the proposed land transfer “an efficient and effective solution that benefits all Arkansans.”

The proposed land transfer would continue burials beyond 2045, the year the current cemetery is predicted to reach capacity, according to information provided by Rep. Womack’s office.