Bill Text: NJ AR23 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates June 8, 2010 as USS Liberty Remembrance Day.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [AR23 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR23-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER
District 28 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Designates June 8, 2010 as USS Liberty Remembrance Day.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Assembly Resolution designating June 8, 2010 as USS Liberty Remembrance Day.
Whereas, The U.S. Navy intelligence ship USS Liberty is one of the most highly decorated ships in U.S. naval history; and
Whereas, On June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty was suddenly and brutally attacked in international waters by the air and naval forces of Israel; and
Whereas, The Israeli attack caused the USS Liberty to suffer one of the highest casualty rates ever inflicted upon a U.S. naval vessel, leaving 34 of her crew members dead and more than 170 of her crew members wounded; and
Whereas, Despite evidence suggesting that Israeli forces may have attacked the USS Liberty with knowledge that the vessel was a U.S. Navy ship, the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson quickly dismissed the attack as an instance of mistaken identity, and failed to prosecute any offending parties or otherwise seek justice for the victims; and
Whereas, Although, on June 8, 2005, the USS Liberty Veterans Association filed with the Secretary of the Army, a fully documented report of war crimes that were alleged to have been committed by the Israeli attackers, U.S. officials have declined to investigate these allegations; and
Whereas, The government's consistently dismissive responses to the attack have worked to downplay the severity of this event; and
Whereas, The government's general lack of support for the plight of USS Liberty victims has essentially denied these victims the appropriate level of public recognition for their valorous service, and has left USS Liberty victims alone in their fight to maintain and increase public awareness of the events of June 8, 1967; and
Whereas, Governmental concern for the political interests of a foreign nation should not preclude the formal recognition or public remembrance of the national service of these Americans, who have made selfless sacrifices of life and limb in the defense of American interests; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House hereby designates June 8, 2010 as USS Liberty Remembrance Day.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the USS Liberty Veterans Association.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates June 8, 2010 as USS Liberty Remembrance Day.
The USS Liberty, one of the most decorated ships in U.S. naval history, was brutally attacked on June 8, 1967 by Israeli air and naval forces. The attack left 34 crew members dead and more than 170 crew members wounded - a 70% casualty rate that is one of the highest in U.S. naval history. Despite evidence suggesting that Israeli forces may have attacked with knowledge that the vessel was a U.S. Navy ship, the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson quickly dismissed the attack as an instance of mistaken identity, and failed to prosecute any offending parties or otherwise seek justice for the victims. In addition, although in 2005, the USS Liberty Veterans Association filed with the Secretary of the Army, a fully documented report of war crimes that were alleged to have been committed by the Israeli attackers, U.S. officials have declined to investigate these allegations. The government's consistently dismissive responses to the attack have worked to downplay the severity of this event. Moreover, the government's general lack of support for the plight of USS Liberty victims has essentially denied these victims the appropriate level of public recognition for their valorous service, and has left USS Liberty victims alone in their fight to maintain and increase public awareness of the events of June 8, 1967. While it is important to preserve good relations with Israel, concern for the political interests of a foreign nation should not preclude the formal recognition or public remembrance of the national service of these Americans who have made great sacrifices in the selfless defense of American interests.
