Bill Text: NJ SJR132 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-11-30 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee [SJR132 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-SJR132-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in the State of New Jersey.
Whereas, Paul Leroy Robeson, an exceptional debater, scholar, linguist, athlete, actor, singer, author, and political activist, was born on April 9, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey; and
Whereas, Robeson was a multitalented individual who won a four-year scholarship to Rutgers University, becoming the third African-American to attend the school, earning class valedictorian and a place on the All-American football team; and
Whereas, Robeson rose to prominence as a standout athlete, singer, and orator and went on to attend Columbia University Law School, where he played professional football and tutored other students in Latin to pay for tuition; and
Whereas, The impact of racism and discrimination greatly limited Robeson's career opportunities, leading to the end of his brief time as a lawyer, and he pursued a career on stage, becoming a widely acclaimed actor and singer throughout the late 1920s and 1930s; and
Whereas, Robeson became one of the most popular concert singers of his time and was one of the first African-American men to play serious roles in the predominantly white American theater; and
Whereas, More than many other performers of his time, Robeson believed that the famous have a responsibility to fight for justice and peace; and
Whereas, As an outspoken defender of civil liberties, Robeson advocated for the rights of African-Americans, workers, and colonized peoples around the world; and
Whereas, Robeson's political activism earned him the ire of the United States government, by which he was blacklisted and his passport revoked, significantly limiting his career; and
Whereas, Many of Robeson's accomplishments and role in the history of civil rights have been obscured by the political landscape of the time; and
Whereas, Despite significant hardship and his death in 1976, Robeson's legacy of fighting for the rights of all people remains a source of inspiration for future generations; and
Whereas, Robeson was the quintessential 20th-century renaissance man who inspired others to work toward a more equitable and just world, and it is only fitting that the State honor his life and legacy; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. April 9 of each year is designated "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey to honor the remarkable life of Paul Robeson, his accomplishments, and his activism defending civil liberties.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, private organizations, and citizens of this State to observe "Paul Robeson Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey. Paul Leroy Robeson was born on April 9, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey. As a gifted debater, scholar, linguist, athlete, actor, singer, author, and political activist, Robeson was the quintessential 20th-century renaissance man.
Robeson attended Rutgers University on a four-year scholarship, becoming the third African-American student to attend the institution. As a standout student and athlete, Robeson earned his place as class valedictorian and a spot on the All-American football team. Robeson would later attend Columbia University Law School, continuing his success as a professional football player while pursuing a legal education. However, racial tensions and discrimination greatly limited his career as a lawyer, and he instead rose to fame as a widely acclaimed actor and singer in the late 1920s and 1930s.
As Robeson's popularity grew, he broke barriers as one of the first African-American men to play significant roles in the predominantly white American theater. Robeson strongly believed in the responsibility of influential figures to advocate for justice and peace. This sense of responsibility led Robeson to advocate for the rights of African-Americans, workers, and colonized peoples around the world. Unfortunately, his political activism led to his blacklisting and the revocation of his passport, significantly hindering his career and obscuring his accomplishments and role in the history of civil rights. Despite these hardships and his death in 1976, Robeson remains a source of inspiration, and his remarkable life and legacy should be remembered and celebrated by the State of New Jersey.
