Bill Text: NJ SJR32 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day".
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-18 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee [SJR32 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-SJR32-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JAMES W. HOLZAPFEL
District 10 (Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day".
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day".
Whereas, New Jersey is known as the "Diner Capital of the World"; and
Whereas, The history of diners in New Jersey started during the rise of the automobile in the 1910s and 1920s; and
Whereas, Jerry O'Mahony (born on October 1) and his brother, whose family owned a tavern in Bayonne, New Jersey, owned several horse drawn lunch wagons that operated throughout Hudson County, New Jersey; and
Whereas, Realizing that there could be an industry in building the food wagons themselves, the O'Mahony brothers hired a carpenter to build a food wagon and sold it to a Jersey City restaurant entrepreneur for $800; and
Whereas, In the decades that followed, nearly all of the major United States diner builders, including Jerry O'Mahony Inc., began operating in New Jersey; and
Whereas, These companies produced the factory-built, stainless-steel eateries that often resembled shiny railroad cars and were examples of Streamline Moderne architecture, a concept emphasizing sleek lines and aerodynamic forms; and
Whereas, Due to New Jersey's location between Philadelphia and New York City, New Jersey built highly developed transportation systems and road networks for commuters traveling between the two metropolitan hubs; and
Whereas, As busy commuters traveled through New Jersey, the State's 24-hour diners became destinations to eat and rest; and
Whereas, Travelers and local residents alike sought out these diners for an affordable, convenient meal, and many working class and middle class residents of New Jersey found diners offered an affordable meal for the entire family; and
Whereas, New Jersey is home to approximately 525 diners, the largest number of diners in any state; and
Whereas, Diners play an important role in New Jersey's economy and culture and should be celebrated; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. October 1 of each year is designated as "New Jersey Diner Day".
2. The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials,
private organizations,
and all citizens of this State to observe "New Jersey Diner Day" with appropriate awareness activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day".
New Jersey is known as the "Diner Capital of the World". The history of diners in New Jersey started during the automobile industry's rise in the 1910s and 1920s wherein New Jersey diners began as portable wooden food wagons. Jerry O'Mahony and his brother of Bayonne, New Jersey, owned several lunch wagons that operated throughout Hudson, County, New Jersey. The O'Mahony brothers hired a carpenter to build their own food wagon and sold it to a restaurant entrepreneur. In the decades that followed, nearly all of the major United States diner builders, including Jerry O'Mahony Inc., started operating in New Jersey. Due to New Jersey's location between Philadelphia and New York City, New Jersey built highly developed transportation systems and road networks for commuters traveling between the two metropolitan hubs. As busy commuters traveled between these three states, New Jersey's 24-hour diners became destinations to eat and rest. Travelers and locals alike sought out these diners for an affordable, convenient meal. New Jersey is home to approximately 525 diners, the most diners in any state. Diners play an important role in New Jersey's economy and culture and should be celebrated.
