AJR197

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman HERB CONAWAY, JR.

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Assemblyman BRANDON E. UMBA

District 8 (Atlantic, Burlington and Camden)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Karabinchak, Assemblywoman McKnight and Assemblyman Benson

SYNOPSIS

Declares NJ “Purple Heart State.”

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A Joint Resolution declaring New Jersey a “Purple Heart State” and supplementing chapter 15 to Title 38A of the New Jersey Statutes.

Whereas, Throughout our nation’s history, New Jersey’s veterans and active duty military members have selflessly fought to preserve our nation’s freedom; and

Whereas, The Purple Heart is the oldest, and among the most venerated, American military decorations awarded in the name of the President to service members wounded or killed while serving in our nation’s Armed Forces; and

Whereas, A Purple Heart Medal is a solemn distinction representing the great personal sacrifices made by a service member while serving in the line of duty; and

Whereas, Purple Heart Medal recipients deserve recognition and honor for the bravery that the recipients have shown while serving in our nation’s Armed Forces; and

Whereas, Three states, West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, are declared “Purple Heart States”; and

Whereas, The “Purple Heart Trail,” a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments that pay tribute to the veterans and active duty military members who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal, exists in parts of 45 states; and

Whereas, New Jersey has multiple counties, cities, and locations that are recognized as part of the “Purple Heart Trail”; and

Whereas, The “Purple Heart Trail” was established by resolution during the 1992 Military Order of the Purple Heart convention, held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey; and

Whereas, Declaring New Jersey as a “Purple Heart State” honors the contributions and sacrifices of New Jersey service members who have received the Purple Heart Medal; and

Whereas, Many service members from New Jersey have earned the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in contact with an enemy force, recognized as a singularly meritorious act of essential service; and

Whereas, The contributions and sacrifices of Purple Heart Medal recipients from New Jersey have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the State’s citizens; and

Whereas, The people of New Jersey have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all of the service members who have selflessly served our nation and the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas, In recognition of the bravery and sacrifice of Purple Heart Medal recipients, it is altogether fitting and proper to declare New Jersey a “Purple Heart State”; now, therefore,

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

1. New Jersey is declared a “Purple Heart State” to honor Purple Heart Medal recipients from the State.

2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution declares New Jersey a “Purple Heart State.”

New Jersey veterans and active duty military members have fought selflessly to preserve our nation’s freedom, with many being wounded or killed while in the line of duty. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded in the name of the President to veterans and active duty military members who have been wounded or killed while serving in our nation’s Armed Forces. The recipients of the Purple Heart Medal deserve recognition and honor for the bravery that recipients have shown while serving our nation.

Three states, including West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, are declared “Purple Heart States.” Parts of 45 states are part of the “Purple Heart Trail,” a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments that give tribute to the veterans and active duty military members who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. New Jersey has multiple counties, cities, and locations that are part of the “Purple Heart Trail.” The “Purple Heart Trail” was established at the 1992 Military Order of the Purple Heart convention, which was held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Declaring New Jersey a “Purple Heart State” honors the contributions and sacrifices of the New Jersey service members who have received the Purple Heart Medal. Purple Heart Medal recipients from the State have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the State’s citizens.

The people of New Jersey have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all of the service members who have selflessly served our country and the State. Therefore, it is altogether fitting and proper to declare New Jersey a “Purple Heart State.”