Rep. Eli Crane (AZ-2) | Rep. Eli Crane/Facebook
Rep. Eli Crane (AZ-2) | Rep. Eli Crane/Facebook
This week, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) introduced a bill that would enable Gila County, AZ to build a veterans center on 232 acres in Young, Arizona. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senator Kelly (D-AZ) and Senator Sinema (I-AZ) in the Senate, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona.
The transfer of ownership to Gila County would protect and maintain the rich history of the property while providing family housing, meeting and activity spaces, resource rooms, Veteran Ceremonial Grounds, and outdoor recreation.
The center would be the first of its kind in northern Arizona, providing resources and support to primarily rural veterans and their families.
“Veterans in northern Arizona need a space to heal and reconnect with their families after putting their lives on the line for the peace and freedom of all Americans. As a former Navy SEAL and member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I know the importance of providing this resource cannot be understated. This transfer of land ownership to Gila County will serve our state and its heroes well,” saidRepresentative Crane.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and former Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ) helped to lay the foundation for this bipartisan effort last Congress.
“After serving 25 years in the U.S. Navy, it’s now my mission in the Senate to ensure our government upholds our commitment to military veterans and their families,” said Senator Kelly, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “I am proud to be part of this bipartisan effort to give Arizona’s veterans, especially those in rural areas like Gila County, a place to gather, and today is an important step towards making that a reality.”
“Transferring this land to Gila County boosts the economy and opens the door for new veterans support services in the region. I’ll keep working to create a healthy Arizona economy and ensure veterans get the support and benefits they’ve earned,” said Senator Sinema, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
Read the original press release here.
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