AJR21

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman MILA M. JASEY

District 27 (Essex and Morris)

Assemblyman JOHN F. MCKEON

District 27 (Essex and Morris)

Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

SYNOPSIS

Designates second Saturday in May as “One Day, One School” Awareness Day.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

A Joint Resolution designating the second Saturday in May as “One Day, One School” Awareness Day.

Whereas, The safety and beautification of New Jersey school grounds and fields are promoted through the “One Day, One School” program by raising awareness about proper tree management; and

Whereas, The proper removal, addition, and care of trees is important to the environmental, social, and economic welfare of schools, local communities, and the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas, The lack of proper tree care on New Jersey’s school grounds and fields threatens the safety of students, faculty, and members of the community; and

Whereas, New Jersey’s school grounds and fields can be made safer and more aesthetically pleasing through the proper care, removal, and addition of trees, alongside collective clean-up and beautification efforts; and

Whereas, The “One Day, One School” program was created by Scott Eveland and Thomas “Ace” Gallagher by organizing the volunteer efforts of both knowledgeable tree experts and dedicated community members in Morris County; and

Whereas, The “One Day, One School” program has demonstrated a commitment to safe and beautiful school grounds and fields through clean-up and beautification efforts; and

Whereas, The “One Day, One School” program has made school grounds and fields safer by providing tree analysis, tree care, and tree removal to communities; and

Whereas, The “One Day, One School” program has promoted additional community involvement to form resident safety task forces, school grounds patrols, and emergency response teams; and

Whereas, Safer and more aesthetically pleasing school grounds and fields will lead to an educational climate that is more conducive to productive learning; and

Whereas, The goal of maintaining safe and beautiful school grounds and fields can be met through raised awareness of the “One Day, One School” program; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The second Saturday of each May is designated as “One Day, One School” Awareness Day.

2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe “One Day, One School” Awareness Day.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates the second Saturday in May as “One Day, One School” Awareness Day in order to raise public awareness of the “One Day, One School” program.

Defective and improperly maintained trees present serious dangers to both persons and property, while also threatening the environmental, social, and economic welfare of communities. As a result, the “One Day, One School” program was formed by Scott Eveland and Thomas “Ace” Gallagher to help ensure the safety of New Jersey students on school grounds and fields in the State. The “One Day, One School” program combines the volunteer efforts of tree experts with community members to make New Jersey’s school grounds and fields both beautiful and safe by providing for the removal, planting, and maintenance of trees. The program also incorporates a beautification component and promotes the formation of community groups to monitor potential dangers. Ultimately, a raised awareness of the “One Day, One School” program will help to encourage people throughout New Jersey to make school grounds and fields safer and more beautiful for all of the State’s residents.