Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JAMES J. KENNEDY
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Urges United States Congress to appoint member of NJ congressional delegation to U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution respectfully urging the United States Congress to appoint a member of the New Jersey congressional delegation to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission.
Whereas, On July 22, 2016, President Barack H. Obama signed the “United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016;” and
Whereas, The commission was established to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the history of the United States leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States; and
Whereas, The 33-member body is comprised of eight members of the United States Congress, 16 private citizens, and nine federal officials; and
Whereas, Even though New Jersey played a vital role in the American Revolution and birth of our nation, none of the eight members of Congress represent the State of New Jersey; and
Whereas, New Jersey is considered the crossroads of the American Revolution, because the State held a key geographical position between the nation’s capital at the time, Philadelphia, and the British stronghold, New York City; and
Whereas, During the eight years of conflict, General George Washington and the Continental Army had more engagements in New Jersey than any other state; and
Whereas, The National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program lists 296 significant military engagements within the State, in addition to hundreds more skirmishes from 1775 through 1783; and
Whereas, The Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Bound Brook, Short Hills, Monmouth, Connecticut Farms, and Springfield were key events in New Jersey that determined the course of the American Revolution; and
Whereas, The founding of the United States, as marked by the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the historic events preceding that anniversary, many of which took place in this State or along its coast, are of major significance to New Jersey; and
Whereas, The contributions of the citizens of this great State should be honored and recognized by seating a member of the New Jersey congressional delegation on the United States Semiquincentennial Commission; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully
urges the United States Congress to appoint a member of the New Jersey
congressional delegation to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Minority leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority leader of the United States Senate, the Minority leader of the United States Senate, and each member of the United States Congress elected from the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution respectfully urges the United States Congress to appoint a member of the New Jersey congressional delegation to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. The commission was established in 2016 to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The commission is comprised of 33 members consisting of eight members of the United States Congress, 16 private citizens, and nine federal officials. Currently, the congressional members represent Alabama, Arkansas, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. There are no members from the New Jersey congressional delegation.
New Jersey played a vital role in the American Revolution. New Jersey is considered the crossroads of the American Revolution, because the State held a key geographical position between Philadelphia and New York City. During the eight years of conflict, there were more military engagements in New Jersey than any other state. The Battles of Trenton and Princeton were key events that determined the course of the American Revolution. To recognize and honor the contributions of New Jersyans and the actions that occurred in this State, the United States Congress is respectfully urged to seat a member of the New Jersey congressional delegation to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission.