AR250

An Assembly Resolution providing for the General Assembly to hold a special commemorative session at Princeton University on February 5, 2026.

Whereas, The State of New Jersey declared its independence from Great Britain and established a system of self-government upon its adoption of the first State Constitution in July 1776; and

Whereas, The residents of the State promptly embraced this new form of government, holding elections for members of a Legislative Council, the precursor to the modern-day State Senate, and a General Assembly just a few weeks later; and

Whereas, The elected legislators met in Princeton, New Jersey, and held the very first meeting of the General Assembly at Nassau Hall at Princeton University in August 1776; and

Whereas, The first legislative session, held throughout the remainder of 1776, sought to stabilize the new State, select the first Governor, address the ongoing Revolution, and chart a path towards a prosperous future in New Jersey; and

Whereas, The foundations laid by members of the first Legislature 250 years ago, and all those elected officials and public servants who came after, have given rise to one of the strongest, most diverse, and well-educated states in the United States; and

Whereas, This success can, in large part, be attributed to the presence of premier educational institutions, such as Princeton University, and their close and continuing relationship with the State; and

Whereas, Princeton University, in particular, has been an instrumental partner, from the first meeting of the General Assembly held at Princeton in 1776 to 21st century projects like the New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Hub; and

Whereas, As a national model for excellence in education and innovation, Princeton brings both investment and acclaim to New Jersey, creating countless opportunities for the citizens of this great State, and molding leaders of the past, present, and future; and

Whereas, Thousands of Princeton alumni have gone on to serve in various roles across State and local government, including the State Legislature, and 11 have served as Governor of this State; and

Whereas, It has always, and will always, be in the interest of New Jerseyans for the State and its partner institutions to cultivate the world’s brightest minds and most dedicated public servants right here at home; and

Whereas, By returning to Princeton, where our collective history began two and a half centuries ago, we may reflect upon the past and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring liberty and prosperity in the State of New Jersey for the next 250 years; and

Whereas, It is fitting and proper that the General Assembly marks the 250th anniversary of the first meeting of the State Legislature by the holding of a special commemorative session on the Princeton University campus on February 5, 2026; now, therefore,

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

1. The General Assembly shall hold a special commemorative session at Nassau Hall on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, Mercer County, on February 5, 2026. The Speaker of the General Assembly, or the Speaker’s designee, shall be authorized to undertake such arrangements as may be necessary to facilitate this special commemorative session.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of Princeton University.

STATEMENT

This Assembly resolution provides for the General Assembly to hold a special commemorative session at Nassau Hall on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, Mercer County, on February 5, 2026.

The first meeting of the General Assembly was held in Princeton, New Jersey, at Nassau Hall at Princeton University in August 1776. Throughout the session, the Legislature sought to stabilize the new State, select the first Governor, address the ongoing Revolution, and chart a path towards a prosperous future in New Jersey.

The foundations laid by members of the first Legislature 250 years ago, and all those elected officials and public servants who came after, have given rise to one of the strongest, most diverse, and well-educated states in the United States.

The success and prosperity of this State may also be attributed to the presence of premier educational institutions, such as Princeton University, and their close and continuing relationship with the State. Princeton University, in particular, has been an instrumental partner, from the first meeting of the General Assembly held at Princeton in 1776 to 21st century projects like the New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Hub. As a national model for excellence in education and innovation, Princeton brings both investment and acclaim to New Jersey, creating countless opportunities for the citizens of this great State, and molding leaders of the past, present, and future.

Thousands of Princeton alumni have gone on to serve in various roles across State and local government, including the State Legislature, and 11 have served as Governor of this State. Further, it has always, and will always, be in the interest of New Jerseyans for the State and its partner institutions to cultivate the world’s brightest minds and most dedicated public servants right here at home.

By returning to Princeton, the place where our collective history began two and a half centuries ago, we may reflect upon the past and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring liberty and prosperity in the State of New Jersey for the next 250 years. It is fitting and proper that the General Assembly recognize the importance of the long and storied relationship between Princeton University and the State of New Jersey, which began with the first meeting of the General Assembly at Princeton 250 years ago.