Bill Text: NJ SR138 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Honors life and service of Senator James Whelan.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2018-01-05 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR138 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SR138-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator STEPHEN M. SWEENEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Senator THOMAS H. KEAN, JR.
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
Senator COLIN BELL
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Honors life and service of Senator James Whelan.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution honoring the life and service of Senator James Whelan.
Whereas, Senator James "Jim" Whelan, the distinguished educator, mayor, and State Senator from Atlantic County, was born on November 8, 1948 in Philadelphia, lived most of his adult life in Atlantic City and died unexpectedly at his home in the city on August 22, 2017; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan was a graduate of Temple University, where he became a nationally-ranked distance swimmer, spent his summers as an ocean lifeguard, and earned a Master's Degree in Education from Temple while also working as a teacher and swimming coach at an Atlantic City elementary school; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan began his service in local and State office while teaching in the Atlantic City school system, serving as a councilman in the city from 1982 to 1990, and as mayor from 1990 to 2001; and
Whereas, While Senator Whelan was mayor, Atlantic City attracted more than $4.5 billion in new business starts and expansions that created thousands of jobs, and the city saw the resurgence and redevelopment of the city's neighborhoods with new housing and new schools; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan began his service in the New Jersey Legislature as an Assemblyman starting in 2005 and was first elected to the Senate in 2007; and
Whereas, In the Assembly, Mr. Whelan sponsored a law providing greater options in long-term care for frail seniors and adults with disabilities and in the Senate, he sponsored many laws promoting and protecting tourism and the State's casino industry, including a law to keep casinos open during State budget impasses; and
Whereas, Senator Whelan was the sponsor of legislation creating the Atlantic City Tourism District, a law to allow Internet gaming in the city, and a law to regulate the burgeoning fantasy sports industry in Atlantic City; and
Whereas, In addition to gaming legislation, Senator Whelan's involvement in education was manifested by his sponsorship of a law creating a program to help veterans become teachers and a law to address the shortage of math and science teachers in the State; and
Whereas, As a member of the Senate, Senator Whelan was well-known and greatly respected for his kindness, fairness, and decency as a legislator and as the chairman of the Senate State Government Committee, a position in which he served from February 2010 to his passing; and
Whereas, In Atlantic City, Senator Whelan was greatly loved by many of the municipality's residents, many of whom called him "Whale" and considered him to be a personal friend and a devoted, caring mentor; and
Whereas, Given Senator Whelan's many distinguished accomplishments and memorable achievements on behalf of the City of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, and the State of New Jersey, it is proper and fitting for this House to honor the life and service of Senator James Whelan; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House honors the life and service of Senator James Whelan.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Mayor of Atlantic City and the family of the late Senator James Whelan.
STATEMENT
This Senate resolution honors the life and service of Senator James Whelan.
