Bill Text: NJ AR183 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializes U.S. Secretary of State to negotiate with Libya for repatriation of remains of Richard Somers.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-03 - Assembly Floor Amendment Passed (Johnson) [AR183 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR183-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes U.S. Secretary of State to negotiate with Libya for repatriation of remains of Richard Somers.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution memorializing the United States Secretary of State John Kerry to negotiate with Libya for the repatriation of the remains of Richard Somers.
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 on the U.S.S. United States under the command of John Barry, the first commissioned officer of the Navy; and
Whereas, Somers was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to his own ship, commanding a fleet in the Mediterranean 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, 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, Although 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, the remains of Richard Somers and his crew are buried in graves now overgrown and poorly maintained in an old Protestant cemetery in Tripoli, Libya; and
Whereas, It is the longstanding policy of our Armed Forces to leave no one behind; and
Whereas, While the United States has long had a tenuous relationship with Libya, and that relationship remains delicate in light of events such as the attack by armed extremists on the U.S. mision in Benghazi in 2012, Libya is attempting to rebuild itself as a peaceful and democratic nation; and
Whereas, Despite ongoing violence within Libya, the United States continues to support Libya's democratic transition, and many sanctions previously issued against Libya by the United States and United Nations have been lifted, and many United States companies have resumed business operations in Libya; and
Whereas, The continued development of Libya as a democratic nation may provide a political climate that would be conducive to the repatriation of the remains of Richard Somers; and
Whereas, This House previously memorialized then United States Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2004 to open negotiations with Libya for the repatriation of the remains of Richard Somers, but Secretary Powell did not take any action; and
Whereas, It is fitting and appropriate, and in the interest of the residents of New Jersey and the descendants of Richard Somers, for this House to memorialize the United States Secretary of State John Kerry to open negotiations with Libya for the repatriation of the remains of Richard Somers and his crew; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House memorializes the United States Secretary of State John Kerry to open negotiations with Libya for the repatriation of the remains of Richard Somers and his crew.
2. Copies of the resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to United States Secretary of State John Kerry and each member of New Jersey's congressional delegation.
STATEMENT
This resolution memorializes United States Secretary of State John Kerry to open negotiations with Libya for the repatriation of the remains of Richard Somers and his 12 member crew. In 1804, Richard Somers, a native of Somers Point, New Jersey, and commander of the U.S.S. Intrepid during the First Barbary War, died a hero's death along with his crew during a daring nighttime raid against the enemy in Tripoli harbor, Libya. They were buried in what is now an unkempt Protestant cemetery in Tripoli.
Although the United States and Libya have a delicate relationship, the U.S supports the development of Libya as a democratic nation. Moreover, the U.S. and United Nations have lifted many of the sanctions against Libya. There may be an opportunity to negotiate with the new Libyan government for the repatriation of the remains of Richard Somers and his crew.
