Bill Text: NJ S2526 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Designates portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Upper Freehold Township as "State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa Memorial Highway."
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 12-5)
Status: (Passed) 2017-01-09 - Approved P.L.2016, c.92. [S2526 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-S2526-Chaptered.html
T&E &
Note to 27:6-1
An Act designating the portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Upper Freehold Township as the "State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa Memorial Highway."
Whereas, State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa was an extraordinary public servant who served the people of New Jersey as a member of the New Jersey State Police; and
Whereas, Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, State Trooper Raspa was a life-long resident of New Jersey who grew up in Highland Park and attended the St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church in Franklin Township; and
Whereas, State Trooper Raspa graduated in 2008 from Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison, where he was a peer leader, a member of the football team, and the captain of the wrestling team and was awarded the "Greater Middlesex County Sportsmanship Award"; and
Whereas, After graduating from high school, State Trooper Raspa attended the University of Delaware, where he earned his bachelor's degree early, by completing his degree requirements in three-and-a-half years; and
Whereas, At the University of Delaware, State Trooper Raspa displayed leadership skills coupled with the desire to serve others, as evidenced by his trips abroad to developing nations with the "Around the World Study Abroad Program" as well as his membership in the National Leadership Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, and his receipt of the university's "Leadership Student of Promise Award"; and
Whereas, An honorable and courageous man who loved serving others and his State, State Trooper Raspa earned a place in the 152nd class of the New Jersey State Police Academy; and
Whereas, Upon graduating from the New Jersey State Police Academy in October 2013, State Trooper Raspa was assigned to Troop "C" in Hamilton Township, where he served for two years; and
Whereas, On May 30, 2015, State Trooper Raspa tragically lost his life in a car accident when his police vehicle hit a deer while patrolling Interstate Highway Route 195 in Upper Freehold Township; and
Whereas, State Trooper Raspa was a dedicated member of the New Jersey State Police as well as a loving son and brother whose memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow State Troopers; and
Whereas, As a true example of leadership and service to the State, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to honor the memory of State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa by designating the portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Upper Freehold Township as the "State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa Memorial Highway"; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the portion of Interstate Highway Route 195, extending from milepost 8.33 to milepost 14.15, in Upper Freehold Township as the "State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.
2. State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Upper Freehold Township as the "State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa, who was tragically killed while patrolling Interstate Highway Route 195. Interstate Highway Route 195 was designated by federal law as the "James J. Howard Memorial Highway." However, this State designation is to only designate the portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Upper Freehold Township in honor of State Trooper Raspa without removing the federal designation from the entire length of Interstate Highway Route 195.
Consistent with Department of Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the "State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa Memorial Highway." The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources.
Designates portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Upper Freehold Township as "State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa Memorial Highway."
