Bill Text: NJ SJR134 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates second weekend of September each year as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend"
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-04 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [SJR134 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-SJR134-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator DOUGLAS J. STEINHARDT
District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Designates second weekend in September as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the second weekend of each September as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend."
Whereas, There exists a group of people whose dedication to the public as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services professionals has resulted in the ultimate sacrifice; and
Whereas, In recognition of this, our nation's capital houses memorial sites dedicated to fallen police officers and firefighters, and a national memorial for fallen emergency medical services professionals is underway; and
Whereas, Each year at these sites, the public pays homage to those service members whose losses occurred in years past and commemorates the newly fallen; and
Whereas, Each year events are held to offer condolences to the families and loved ones of police, firefighters, and emergency medical services professionals who also carry the burdens of service and sacrifice; and
Whereas, Since recordkeeping began, line of duty deaths in New Jersey exceeds 600 firefighters and 500 police officers. Historically, the number of line of duty deaths of emergency medical services professionals is less clear; however, the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on our State's emergency medical services personnel is still being assessed; and
Whereas, New Jersey has designated days of recognition for the work and duty offered by members of the police, firefighting and emergency medical services professions; however, our State does not yet set aside a time to collectively acknowledge that the price of maintaining public safety is sometimes the lives of those who maintain it; and
Whereas, It is therefore fitting and proper to provide a time for the organization and sponsorship of appropriate ceremonies and activities throughout the State reflecting the appreciation our State residents extend to the fallen service members of the police, firefighting, and emergency medical services professional communities, and their families; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The second weekend of September each year is designated as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend" in recognition of New Jersey's fallen police, firefighting, and emergency medical services professionals.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the second weekend in September as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend" and calling upon public officials and the residents of New Jersey to observe the weekend with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the second weekend in September as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend."
The joint resolution recognizes New Jersey's fallen members of the police, firefighting, and emergency medical service professions. Since record keeping began, New Jersey has lost over 600 firefighters and 500 police officers to line-of-duty deaths. For emergency medical service professionals, line of duty deaths is harder to count and still being assessed with respect to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This joint resolution calls upon public officials and residents of New Jersey to observe the second weekend of September each year with appropriate activities and programs.
