{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press/donnelly-calls-on-va-to-continue-engagement-on-crown-hill-cemetery-plan", "Donnelly Calls on VA to Continue Engagement on Crown Hill Cemetery Plan", "2016-09-20", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Joe Donnelly", "D000607", "www.donnelly.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Donnelly Calls on VA to Continue Engagement on Crown Hill Cemetery Plan\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSenator sends letter to VA Secretary\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, September 20, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Bob McDonald, asking that the VA continue to engage with Indianapolis citizens, local community groups, and area veterans as it constructs a columbarium in Crown Hill Cemetery.\r\nDonnelly said, in part, in his letter, \u201cI appreciate the VA\u2019s decision to select Indianapolis as a national cemetery site to serve tens of thousands of Hoosier veterans and their families in Central Indiana\u2026The successful completion of this project, however, will require sufficient input both from veterans as well as the local community\u2026 I ask that you continue to engage with all Hoosiers and listen to their thoughts and concerns about construction of the memorial.\u201d\r\nThe full text of the letter can be read here or below.\r\nSeptember 20, 2016\r\nThe Honorable Robert A. McDonald\r\nSecretary\r\nUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs\r\nWashington, DC\r\nDear Secretary McDonald:\r\nI am writing in regard to the intended construction of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemetery in Indianapolis, where the creation of columbaria is planned on the north side of Crown Hill Cemetery.\r\nI am proud of the men and women who have served our country, and one of my top priorities in Congress is to ensure veterans are honored with the care and respect they deserve. As such, I appreciate the VA\u2019s decision to select Indianapolis as a national cemetery site to serve tens of thousands of Hoosier veterans and their families in Central Indiana.\r\nThe successful completion of this project, however, will require sufficient input both from veterans as well as the local community. As plans for the columbarium cemetery progress, I ask that you continue to engage with all Hoosiers and listen to their thoughts and concerns about construction of the memorial. Thank you for your continued commitment to our nation\u2019s veterans. Please reach out to my office if we may provide any assistance.\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\nJoe Donnelly\r\nUnited State Senator\r\n\u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press/donnelly-calls-on-va-to-continue-engagement-on-crown-hill-cemetery-plan"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0734258685261011, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}