Bill Text: NJ AR104 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorates 225th anniversary of New Jersey's ratification of U.S. Constitution.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-09-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [AR104 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR104-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman DIANNE C. GOVE
District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Commemorates 225th anniversary of New Jersey's ratification of U.S. Constitution.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution commemorating the 225th anniversary of New Jersey's ratification of the United States Constitution.
Whereas, The State of New Jersey and its citizens played an instrumental and integral role in the development and ratification of the United States Constitution, and, in celebrating the 225th anniversary of New Jersey's ratification of this essential governing document, it is important for the State to recognize and honor the vital and influential work performed by its citizen delegates at the State's Ratifying Convention; and
Whereas, On September 28, 1787, after the nation's new Constitution was signed by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, including four New Jersey delegates there present, the Continental Congress forwarded the document to the states for the purposes of ratification; and
Whereas, On the fourth Tuesday in November, 1787, upon call of the New Jersey Legislature, the voters of the State elected 39 delegates - three from each county - to represent their interests at New Jersey's Ratifying Convention; and
Whereas, The delegates selected to attend the State's Ratifying Convention included John Fell, Cornelius Hennion, and Peter Zabriskie of Bergen County; George Anderson, Thomas Reynolds, and Joshua M. Wallace of Burlington County; Jeremiah Eldredge, Jesse Hand, and Matthew Whillden of Cape May County; Jonathan Bowen, Eli Elmer, and David Potter of Cumberland County; John Chetwood, David Crane, and Samuel Hay (Hayes) of Essex County; Richard Howell, Andrew Hunter, and Benjamin Whitall of Gloucester County; David Brearly, Joshua Corshon, and John Stevens, Sr. of Hunterdon County; John Beatty, Benjamin Manning, and John Neilson of Middlesex County; Samuel Breese, William Crawford, and Elisha Lawrence of Monmouth County; John Jacob Faesch, William Windes, and William Woodhull of Morris County; Whitten Cripps, Samuel Dick, and Edmund Wetherby (Weatherby) of Salem County; Frederick Frelinghuysen, Jacob R. Hardenbergh, and John Witherspoon of Somerset County; and Thomas Anderson, Robert Hoops, and Robert Ogden III of Sussex County; and
Whereas, The press, at the time, described this group of delegates as "accomplished civilians, able judges, experienced generals, and honest farmers" from a wide variety of religious backgrounds, and many in the group were recognized and distinguished for their strong adherence to the patriot cause, as well as for their extensive military service and political activity - with a large number of the delegates having served in the militia or Continental Army, or having been captured by the British; and
Whereas, The State's Ratifying Convention commenced on December 11, 1787, and, after no more than a week of deliberations - having examined, with little discord, each section of the proposed Constitution - the New Jersey delegates were unanimous in voting to ratify the document; and
Whereas, On December 19, 1787, upon the signing of the Ratification Document by each State delegate present, New Jersey became the third state in the union to agree to the nation's new constitutional provisions; and
Whereas, By their quick and unanimous agreement, New Jersey's delegates contributed to the momentum which would ultimately lead 11 of the 13 states to ratify the Constitution within a year of its formal proposal; and
Whereas, In acknowledgement of the 225th anniversary of New Jersey's ratification of the United States Constitution, it is both reasonable and fitting for the government and citizens of the State to remember and recognize the solemnity and importance of that event in the history of our nation and State, and to honor the members of the New Jersey delegation for their significant contribution to the ratification process; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House celebrates the 225th anniversary of New Jersey's ratification of the United States Constitution, and it acknowledges, and pays tribute to, the significant role played by New Jersey's delegation in the adoption of this most important of governing documents.
2. This House further urges the citizens of this State to reflect upon the significance of this event and its influence on State and national history, and to remember the contributions made by New Jersey's citizens in relation thereto.
3. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the Revolution, the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the New Jersey State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the New Jersey Historical Commission in the Department of State, the New Jersey Historical Society, NJTV public media, and the New Jersey State Archives.
STATEMENT
This resolution commemorates the 225th anniversary of New Jersey's ratification of the United States Constitution, and it recognizes, by name, the delegates to the State's Ratifying Convention, in honor of their contribution to the State's and the nation's history. The resolution also encourages New Jersey citizens to reflect upon this solemn event and its historical significance, and to remember the contributions made by the State's citizens in the adoption of this nation's current governing document.
