STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman PAUL D. MORIARTY
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblywoman ALISON LITTELL MCHOSE
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Riley, Gove, Assemblyman Johnson, Assemblywoman Simon, Assemblymen Eustace, Rumana, Space, Coughlin, Diegnan, Benson and Wilson
SYNOPSIS
Designates May of each year “Military Appreciation Month” in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act designating May of each year as “Military Appreciation Month” in New Jersey.
Whereas, The freedom, peace, and security that citizens of the United States enjoy today are the direct results of the sacrifices and the continued vigilance of the members of the Armed Forces who selflessly serve to protect our nation, together with the sacrifices of the family members who support them; and
Whereas, Congress designated May “National Military Appreciation Month” in 1999 to promote national awareness of the sacrifices that members of the United States Armed Forces have made in the past and continue to make every day in order to support the United States Constitution and to protect and preserve the freedoms and liberties that enrich this nation; and
Whereas, Currently more than 7,000 active duty military personnel call the State of New Jersey their home, and more than 400,000 military veterans have chosen to make our State their home after military service; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Army National Guard and the New Jersey Air National Guard serve dual roles, protecting New Jerseyans from domestic threats and natural disasters and also serving in overseas military and humanitarian missions when called to federal active duty; and
Whereas, This State is home to many military installations which perform major functions in the defense of the United States and which bring resources of personnel and equipment to any mission assigned to the Armed Forces of the United States, including Joint Base-McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Naval Weapon Station-Earle, Picatinny Arsenal, and numerous United States Coast Guard duty stations; and
Whereas, It is appropriate to emphasize the importance of the service by the members of United States Armed Forces, past and present, to all persons in the United States, and to underscore the vital support and encouragement that their families have made in securing and protecting the freedoms that citizens of this State and the nation enjoy today; and
Whereas, The observance of events during the month of May recognizing and honoring the contributions and sacrifices of the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, both past and present, and their families is a tangible and highly effective way to sustain morale and improve the quality of life in New Jersey for these valiant individuals; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The month of May of every year is hereby designated as “Military Appreciation Month” in New Jersey. All citizens and residents of this State are encouraged to recognize, honor, and show appreciation to all members of the United States Armed Forces, past and present, as well as their families.
b. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation declaring May of every year as “Military Appreciation Month” in New Jersey and, with the Legislature, call upon the citizens of this State to recognize this month with appropriate activities, programs, and events.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates May of each year as “Military Appreciation Month” in the State of New Jersey to recognize and honor the contributions and sacrifices of all members of the United States Armed Forces, both past and present, as well as their families who provide vital support and encouragement to the members of the Armed Forces.
The bill also provides that the Governor annually issue a proclamation declaring the month of May as “Military Appreciation Month” and calling upon the citizens of this State to recognize this day with appropriate activities, programs, and events.