| Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed legislation, introduced by Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), that would transfer federal land currently under the purview of the U.S. Forest Service to Navajo and Apache Counties. For more than a decade, the communities of Pinedale and Alpine have struggled to find appropriate cemetery space to meet the needs of family members wishing to inter and pay respects to their loved ones. This bill would expand the land adjacent to Alpine Community Cemetery, preventing the need for deceased members of the community to be laid to rest in a distant cemetery. “The community of Pinedale has a long and rich pioneer history, and the residents are proud of that heritage. Pinedale is a community where generations of families live, grow, and raise their families. This bill will allow families to lay their loved ones to rest in the place that their family member loved so much. I’m grateful to Congressman Crane and his staff for their work on this bill and his support of the Pinedale community,” said Daryl Seymore, Navajo County Board of Supervisors, District I. “As a County Supervisor and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Apache County, I have seen firsthand the “very real needs” of the communities that I represent. Recently, the effort put forth by you and your staff in securing the conveyance of USFC land immediately adjacent to the Alpine Community Cemetery is representative of meeting that ‘very real need,’” wrote Nelson Davis, Apache County Supervisor, District III, and Vice-Chairman of the Board, in a letter to Rep. Crane. “I’m pleased to report that my bill passed out of the House Committee on Natural Resources and awaits consideration on the House Floor. These communities have storied histories, and they deserve to lay their loved ones to rest in the place that means so much to them,” said Rep. Eli Crane. “This piece of legislation is one of the first bills I introduced in Congress and is a testament to the strength of the Latter-Day Saints Community in Northern Arizona. I appreciate Supervisors Seymore and Nelson for their leadership, and we will continue to do everything we can to push this bill through the legislative process.” House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman said, “Oftentimes, the smallest solutions can have the most meaning. Congressman Crane’s legislation to convey important parcels of land to the Apache and Navajo counties will help communities properly lay to rest their loved ones. This is the type of thoughtful work that makes Rep. Crane such an important asset to his constituents.” |
November 20, 2024