Bill Text: NJ AJR82 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permanently establishes September 4th as "Richard Somers Day."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-10-02 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [AJR82 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AJR82-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Permanently establishes September 4th as "Richard Somers Day."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution permanently establishing September 4th as "Richard Somers Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Richard Somers, born during the American Revolution on September 15, 1778, was the great-grandson of John Somers, the founder of Somers Point, New Jersey; and
Whereas, Richard Somers first learned to sail as a boy on Great Egg Bay, later joining the United States Navy in 1798 as a Midshipman on the U.S.S. United States under the command of John Barry, the father of the U.S. Navy; and
Whereas, Upon being promoted to Lieutenant, Richard Somers was put in command of his own ship and assigned to the Mediterranean fleet to fight the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War; and
Whereas, Aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, Richard Somers and Stephen Decatur, Jr. recaptured the U.S.S. Philadelphia from the enemy without incurring any casualties; and
Whereas, Later while in command of the U.S.S. Intrepid, Richard Somers and his crew of 12 volunteers died a hero's death during a daring nighttime raid on the Tripoli harbor in Libya on September 4, 1804; and
Whereas, The remains of Richard Somers and his crew are buried in graves now overgrown with weeds in an old Protestant cemetery in Tripoli, Libya; and
Whereas, Richard Somers' contributions helped end the First Barbary War, an important campaign for his fledgling country, proving that the American forces had the cohesion to fight together and execute a war far from home; and
Whereas, Richard Somers has been memorialized by the United States Navy, with at least six naval warships bearing his name and a monument standing at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and
Whereas, September 4, 2014 marked the 210th anniversary of Richard Somers' death; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. September 4th of each year is designated "Richard Somers Day" in honor of the anniversary of the heroic death of New Jersey's native son.
2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, private organizations, and all citizens of the State to observe this day each year with appropriate educational events and activities.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution declares September 4th of each year "Richard Somers Day" in the State of New Jersey. Richard Somers, a native of Somers Point, New Jersey, fought bravely against the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. September 4, 2014 marked the 210th anniversary of his heroic death during a daring nighttime raid on Tripoli harbor in Libya.
