ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 165

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MAY 19, 2022

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  DANIEL R. BENSON

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Assemblyman  ANTHONY S. VERRELLI

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Assemblywoman  SHAMA A. HAIDER

District 37 (Bergen)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Chaparro, Assemblymen Moen, Conaway, Sampson, Assemblywoman Lopez and Assemblyman Spearman

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates October 15th of each year as “New Jersey Railroad Workers Day.”

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


A Joint Resolution designating October 15th of each year as “New Jersey Railroad Workers Day.”

 

Whereas, By allowing for the efficient transportation of consumer goods and commuters, railroads continue to serve a crucial, and often overlooked, role in connecting and sustaining the modern, globalized economy; and

Whereas, Without the continuous operations of the freight railroad sector, global supply chains can easily become disrupted, thereby increasing consumer prices, reducing access to necessary goods and services, and diminishing standards of living; and 

Whereas, The passenger railroad sector also plays a similarly important role in ensuring that the workforce can affordably and reliably commute to their places of employment, which service is vital for businesses located inside and outside of this State; and

Whereas, The operations of freight and passenger railroads would not be possible without the tireless efforts of railroad workers, who work long hours to ensure that freight containers are properly handled and passenger trains are safely operated; and

Whereas, Due to the constant demand for freight and passenger rail service, many railroad workers are often forced to work irregular shifts, sacrificing time away from their friends and family; and

Whereas, Railroad workers have also shown a willingness to work in dangerous conditions during times of crisis to ensure that the public receives crucial freight and passenger rail services; and   

Whereas, During the COVID-19 pandemic, railroad workers served as frontline workers who, despite the dangers of working in close proximity to one another, worked to alleviate supply chain backlogs and transport essential healthcare workers; and

Whereas, Without the contributions of railroad workers, there is little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic would have unleashed even more harm on the physical and economic well-being of the people of this State; and

Whereas, Moreover, in the midst of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, New Jersey’s brother and sister railroad workers in the Ukraine have also been indispensable in shuttling innocent civilians to safety and transporting supplies to the front lines of defense; and

Whereas, Whether during times of peace or times of crisis, railroad workers provide an invaluable service for the people of this State, and others throughout the world, by ensuring that the modern, globalized economy continues to function; now, therefore,

 

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

 

     1.    October 15th of each year is designated as “New Jersey Railroad Workers Day” in the State of New Jersey to honor and celebrate the important contributions of railroad workers in supporting the State’s economy.

 

     2.    The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation designating October 15th as “New Jersey Railroad Workers Day” and shall call upon the public officials and citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This joint resolution designates October 15th of each year as “New Jersey Railroad Workers Day.”

     By allowing for the efficient transportation of consumer goods and commuters, railroads continue to serve a crucial, and often overlooked, role in connecting and sustaining the modern, globalized economy.  Without the continuous operations of the freight railroad sector, global supply chains can easily become disrupted, thereby increasing consumer prices and reducing access to necessary goods and services.  The passenger railroad sector also plays a similarly important role in ensuring that the workforce can affordably and reliably commute to their places of employment, which service is vital for businesses located inside and outside of this State. 

     However, the operations of freight and passenger railroads would not be possible without the tireless efforts of railroad workers, who work long hours to ensure that freight containers are properly handled and passenger trains are safely operated.  Due to the constant demand for freight and passenger rail service, many railroad workers are often forced to work irregular shifts, sacrificing time away from their friends and family. 

     Moreover, railroad workers have also shown a willingness to work in dangerous conditions during times of crisis to ensure that the public receives crucial freight and passenger rail services.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, railroad workers served as frontline workers who, despite the dangers of working in close proximity to one another, worked to alleviate supply chain backlogs and commute essential health care workers.  Without their contributions, there is little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic would have unleashed even more harm on the physical and economic well-being of the people of this State.

     Whether during times of peace or times of crisis, railroad workers provide an invaluable service for the people of this State by ensuring that the modern, globalized economy continues to function.  As such, it is altogether fitting and proper to celebrate the contributions of these workers by designating “New Jersey Railroad Workers Day” in this State.