Sponsored by:
Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Designates Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City as "Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall" to commemorate his outstanding service to Atlantic City and State.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating Boardwalk Hall, located at 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, in memory of James "Jim" Whelan and supplementing P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.).
Whereas, James "Jim" Whelan, the distinguished educator, mayor, and State Senator from Atlantic County, was born on November 8, 1948 in Philadelphia, lived most of his adult life in Atlantic City and died unexpectedly at his home in the city on August 22, 2017; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan graduated from Temple University, where he was a nationally-ranked distance swimmer, spent his summers as an ocean lifeguard, and earned a Master's Degree in Education from Temple University while working as a teacher and swimming coach; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan began his service in local and State office while teaching in the Atlantic City school system, serving as a councilman in the city from 1982 to 1990, and as mayor from 1990 to 2001; and
Whereas, While Senator Whelan was mayor, Atlantic City attracted more than $4.5 billion in new business starts and expansions that created thousands of jobs, and the city saw the resurgence and redevelopment of the city's neighborhoods with new housing and new schools; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan was elected to the General Assembly in 2005, sponsoring a law providing greater options in long-term care for frail seniors and adults with disabilities; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan was first elected to the Senate in 2007, where he served for the next decade, sponsoring multiple pieces of legislation that promoted and protected tourism and the State's casino industry, including a law to keep casinos open during State budget impasses; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan was the sponsor of legislation creating the Atlantic City Tourism District, a law to allow Internet gaming in the city, and a law to regulate the burgeoning fantasy sports industry; and
Whereas, In addition to gaming legislation, Senator Whelan sponsored many bills promoting education, highlighted by his sponsorship of a law creating a program to help veterans become teachers and a law to address the shortage of math and science teachers in the State; and
Whereas, As a member of the Senate, Senator Whelan was well-known and greatly respected for his kindness, fairness, and decency as a legislator and as the chairman of the Senate State Government Committee, a position in which he served from February 2010 to his passing; and
Whereas, In Atlantic City, Senator Whelan was greatly loved by many of the municipality's residents, many of whom considered him to be a personal friend and a devoted, caring mentor; and
Whereas, Given Senator Whelan's many distinguished accomplishments and memorable achievements on behalf of the City of Atlantic City and the State of New Jersey, it is proper and fitting that Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City be designated, in memory of Senator Whelan, as the "Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall"; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Governor, or the designee thereof, shall designate Boardwalk Hall, located at 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, in memory of James "Jim" Whelan, as the "Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall" and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.
2. Except for funds of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The Governor, or the designee thereof, is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Governor, or the designee thereof, for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting 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 Governor, or the designee thereof, 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 Boardwalk Hall, located at 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, in memory of James "Jim" Whelan to commemorate his outstanding service to Atlantic City and the State. Under the bill, Boardwalk Hall will be renamed the "Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall."
Consistent with current practice, the bill provides that, with the exception of funds of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation as provided for in the bill. The bill authorizes the Governor, or the designee thereof, to receive financial assistance from non-profit, non-governmental, and private sources to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation as provided for in the bill.