Bill Text: NJ AJR117 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Congress to pass "Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-10-13 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [AJR117 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AJR117-Introduced.html
No. 117
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman R. BRUCE LAND
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to pass "Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to pass the "Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016."
Whereas, In 1984, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiated the Teacher in Space Project to spur the interest of school children and their teachers in mathematics, sciences, and space exploration; and
Whereas, Christa McAuliffe, a social studies teacher at Concord High School in Concord, New Hampshire, was selected as the first Teacher in Space out of the more than 11,000 applicants to the program; and
Whereas, As a Teacher in Space, Christa McAuliffe was to travel into space on the American space shuttle Challenger and conduct a lesson from space, thereby increasing the public's interest in space exploration; and
Whereas, Christa McAuliffe's involvement in a space flight as a private citizen did increase the nation's interest in space exploration and Challenger's flight; and
Whereas, On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff tragically killing Christa McAuliffe and the six other astronauts aboard; and
Whereas, The not-for-profit charity, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), was founded in 1989 to spur the interest of young people in science and technology; and
Whereas, The vision of FIRST is "to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders;" and
Whereas, FIRST is now the leading, not-for-profit science, technology, engineering and mathematics engagement program for young people worldwide; and
Whereas, "The Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016" is proposed federal legislation which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Challenger disaster; and
Whereas, The "Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016" provides that $10 from the sale of each commemorative coin is to be paid to the FIRST robotics programs; and
Whereas, It is a fitting tribute to the adventurous spirit of Christa McAuliffe that the proceeds from the sale of her commemorative coin be used to support the adventurous spirit of young people today; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to urge the Congress of the United States to pass the "Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Governor and the Legislature of New Jersey urge the United States Congress to pass the "Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016."
2. Copies of the resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to Majority and Minority leaders of the United States Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority leader of the House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This Joint Resolution urges Congress to pass the "Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016," currently pending before the House of Representatives as HR5168 and Senate as S2980. Christa McAuliffe was chosen to be the first Teacher of the Year by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Teacher of the Year program was intended to spur the interest of school children and their teachers in mathematics, sciences and space exploration. As Teacher of the Year, Christa McAuliffe was to be the first American private citizen to travel into space. Tragically, on January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff killing Christa McAuliffe and the six other astronauts aboard.
The "Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2016" not only commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Challenger disaster but also provides for a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the coin to support the not-for-profit charity For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST). The vision of FIRST is to "transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." It is therefore fitting that the proceeds from the sale of the Christa McAuliffe commemorative coin, who embodied the adventurous spirit of mankind, will support the adventurous spirit of today's young people.
