Bill Text: NJ S3004 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates TBM Avenger as New Jersey State Airplane.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-07-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee [S3004 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S3004-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Designates TBM Avenger as New Jersey State Airplane.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating the TBM Avenger as the New Jersey State Airplane.
Whereas, The TBM Avenger, one of the most numerous and indispensible carrier aircraft of World War II, was mass produced in Trenton and Bloomfield, and used for pilot training in Wildwood; and
Whereas, The Avenger aircraft, most of which were New Jersey-produced TBM Avengers, participated in every major air-sea battle of World War II between June 1942 and August 1945; and
Whereas, The TBM Avenger is a large three-person torpedo bomber known for its important role in destroying German submarines, attacking aircraft carriers, raiding island bases, and as the plane flown by former President George H. W. Bush when he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross after being shot down in a perilous Pacific bombing mission; and
Whereas, As the United States entered World War II, General Motors converted its factories in Trenton, Bloomfield, Linden, Tarrytown, and Baltimore into what was collectively known as its Eastern Aircraft Division; and
Whereas, These plants consistently met or exceeded the Navy's delivery schedules to become the highest-volume producer of naval aircraft in the world in 1944, allowing the Trenton facility to receive the military's rare "E for Excellence Award" for superior war production; and
Whereas, Of the 9,839 Avenger airplanes produced during World War II, 7,546 were completed at the Trenton Plant, where the components, largely produced at General Motors' other facilities, were assembled; and
Whereas, Many of these aircraft were also used for training dive-bomber pilots at Naval Air Station (NAS) Wildwood, now home to the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, and one of the few remaining TBM Avengers; and
Whereas, The TBM Avenger illustrates the massive military manufacturing campaign and impressive training effort undertaken in New Jersey during World War II, and is an ideal symbol of the State's heritage; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The TBM Avenger is designated as the New Jersey State Airplane.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the TBM Avenger as the New Jersey State Airplane. One of the most important aircraft of World War II, TBM Avengers were mass produced in Trenton and Bloomfield, and used for pilot training at Naval Air Station Wildwood. As demonstrated in Trenton's receipt of the military's "E for Excellence Award" for superior war production, this aircraft illustrates the impressive manufacturing campaign undertaken in New Jersey during World War II. The TBM Avenger is an ideal symbol of the State's heritage and character.
