Sponsored by:
Assemblyman SEAN T. KEAN
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblyman EDWARD H. THOMSON
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Senator ROBERT W. SINGER
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Spearman, Sauickie, Wirths and Space
SYNOPSIS
Designates portion of State Highway Route 71 as “John Tarantino Highway.”
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating a portion of State Highway Route 71 in the Borough of Spring Lake Heights as the “John Tarantino Highway.”
Whereas, Angelo John Tarantino was born on November 27, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York to Italian immigrants and from a young age was provided a true example of service by his father, who served as a police officer in Italy; and
Whereas, At 18 years of age, he joined the United States Army, where he served in the 47th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 5th Armored Division of the 3rd United States Army Group, which was commanded by decorated four-star general George S. Patton; and
Whereas, Mr. Tarantino was a part of the European Theater of Operations in the United States Army, which was the unit responsible for directing United States Army operations throughout the European war front during World War II; and
Whereas, Five weeks after the D-Day invasion, Mr. Tarantino landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France, the westernmost beach of the landing areas in the Normandy Invasion; and
Whereas, Completing several difficult missions, Mr. Tarantino participated in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, the liberation of the country of Luxembourg, and the Battle of the Bulge, where he narrowly avoided being killed during the Malmedy massacre; and
Whereas, After five months of fighting, Mr. Tarantino suffered severe frostbite for which he is still receiving treatment for today, but was one of only two soldiers of the 200 that landed at Utah Beach that was not killed or severely wounded; and
Whereas, After his service to the country in World War II, Mr. Tarantino was honorably discharged and continued to serve other members of the veteran community as a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans organization; and
Whereas, Mr. Tarantino moved to the Borough of Spring Lake Heights in 1988 and has participated in ceremonies honoring veterans within the borough and in other areas of the State; and
Whereas, As a true example of heroism, patriotism, and service to his country and his fellow soldiers, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to honor the patriotism of Angelo John Tarantino by designating a portion of State Highway Route 71 in the Borough of Spring Lake Heights as the “John Tarantino Highway”; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the portion of State Highway Route 71, extending from milepost 3.25 to milepost 3.70 in the Borough of Spring Lake Heights as the “John Tarantino Highway” and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.
2. State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates a portion of State Highway Route 71 in the Borough of Spring Lake Heights as the “John Tarantino Highway” to honor patriotism of World War II veteran Angelo John Tarantino. The Legislature honors Mr. Tarantino for his service to the people of the United States and the State of New Jersey both during World War II and in the years after.
Consistent with Department of Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the “John Tarantino Highway.” The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation.