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1997 SESSION

978302386
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 601
Offered January 20, 1997
Requesting the Department of Historic Resources to study the maintenance and upkeep of the Confederate sections of the Oakwood Cemetery in the City of Richmond.
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Patrons-- O'Brien, Cantor, Hall, Hargrove, McEachin, Reid and Rhodes; Senators: Barry and Benedetti
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Referred to Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources
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WHEREAS, the 1930 Acts of Assembly provided for the care of the cemeteries and graves of Confederate soldiers and sailors in the Commonwealth and appropriated the sum of $30,000 for the perpetual care of the Oakwood Cemetery in the City of Richmond in particular; and

WHEREAS, the historic role of the City of Richmond as the capitol of the Confederacy demands that Confederate graves be properly marked and maintained; and

WHEREAS, the Confederate section of the Oakwood Cemetery serves as the resting place for over 17,000 Confederate soldiers; and

WHEREAS, for the past several years, the Confederate section of the Oakwood Cemetery has been in a state of decline and is in dire need of restoration and perpetual care and maintenance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Historic Resources, in conjunction with the City of Richmond, be requested to study the maintenance and upkeep of the Confederate section of the Oakwood Cemetery in the City of Richmond. The Department of Historic Resources shall (i) identify the number of grave sites in need of restoration, (ii) determine the funds required to restore the grave sites to the appropriate standard for veterans' graves, (iii) determine the funds required for continued upkeep and maintenance, (iv) identify the location and number of historic graves which may be eligible for funds pursuant to § 10.1-2211, and (iv) examine such other issues as the Department deems necessary and appropriate. In conducting its study, the Department may hire such outside consultants or advisors as it deems necessary without complying with the provisions of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 11-35 et seq.); however, the procurement of such outside consultants and advisors shall be based on competitive principles.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department of Historic Resources for this study, upon request.

The Department of Historic Resources shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1998 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.