SJR113

A Joint Resolution designating March 1 of each year as “COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.”

Whereas, The first day in March would be an appropriate day to be recognized as “COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day;” and

Whereas, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus, is a deadly illness caused by a virus that can transmit from person to person; and

Whereas, In 2020, COVID-19 began to spread throughout the world, creating a global pandemic that has had a catastrophic impact on human life, our communities, and our economy; and

Whereas, Beginning in March 2020, communities in every state experienced increased loss of life, and families lost fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and neighbors to the virus; and

Whereas, New Jersey became an early epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, peaking at over 8,200 hospitalizations on April 14, 2020; and

Whereas, Many across the United States were and continue to be personally impacted by COVID-19, including mourning their loved ones and neighbors or suffering from the unknown long-term health implications of the virus; and

Whereas, By the end of February 2021, there were more than 28,065,000 known cases of the virus in the United States, and more than 500,000 people tragically lost their lives; and

Whereas, In New Jersey, the State had over 700,000 known cases of the virus and suffered over 20,000 confirmed deaths by the end of February 2021; and

Whereas, COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on low-income communities and communities of color with higher rates of infection and death, exacerbating inequities already prevalent in our systems that we must address as a nation; and

Whereas, Public servants, frontline and essential workers, and health care professionals took selfless actions to protect their neighbors and communities, support struggling local economies, and find innovative ways to provide services; and

Whereas, Local, state, tribal, and federal government entities provided critical support to businesses, communities, and Americans in need; and

Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on New Jersey, the United States, and countries around the world; and

Whereas, Each life lost to COVID-19, each inequity and broken system brought to light, and each sacrifice made shall never be forgotten; and

Whereas, It is fitting and proper that this State memorializes the lives lost to the COVID-19 virus, recognizes the suffering of those who contracted the COVID-19 virus and survived but carry with them the unknown health side effects, and expresses support for the designation of a “COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day;” now, therefore,

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

1. March 1 of each year shall be designated as “COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day” in the State of New Jersey in order to memorialize the lives lost to the COVID-19 virus and recognize the suffering of those who contracted the COVID-19 virus and survived but carry with them the unknown health side effects.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution designates March 1 of each year as “COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day” in the State of New Jersey in order to memorialize the lives lost to the COVID-19 virus and recognize the suffering of those who contracted the COVID-19 virus and survived but carry with them the unknown health side effects.

This joint resolution respectfully requests the Governor to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.