Bill Text: NJ AJR188 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates March 31 of each year "New Jersey COVID-19 First Responders Memorial Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-09-21 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee [AJR188 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AJR188-Introduced.html
No. 188
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ERIK K. SIMONSEN
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Designates March 31 of each year "New Jersey COVID-19 First Responders Memorial Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating March 31 of each year as "New Jersey COVID-19 First Responders Memorial Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that has caused a global pandemic, leading to an unprecedented and overwhelming public health crisis throughout the United States, with New Jersey having one of the highest incidences in the country; and
Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic has infected over 178,000 New Jersey residents and has claimed the lives of over 15,000; and
Whereas, New Jersey's first responders, the State's police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services professionals (EMS), have been on the front lines every day in the battle to protect public health and to care for the victims of the pandemic; and
Whereas, Hundreds of New Jersey first responders have been infected with the COVID-19 virus while serving in the line of duty; and
Whereas, At least 10 police officers and 15 firefighters and EMS professionals have lost their lives to COVID-19 in New Jersey; and
Whereas, The sacrifices of New Jersey's first responders will continue to mount during this unprecedented public health emergency; and
Whereas, New Jersey's first responders have continued to protect the health and safety of New Jersey residents even at great personal risk and the very real potential of loss of life; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. March 31 of each year shall be designated as "New Jersey COVID-19 First Responders Memorial Day" in New Jersey to honor essential workers.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to lower State flags to half-staff and to issue a proclamation each year calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "New Jersey COVID-19 First Responders Memorial Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates March 31 of each year as "New Jersey COVID-19 First Responders Memorial Day in New Jersey.
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that has caused a global pandemic, leading to an unprecedented and overwhelming public health crisis throughout the United States, with New Jersey having one of the highest incidences in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has infected over 178,000 New Jersey residents and has claimed the lives of over 15,000.
New Jersey's first responders, the State's police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services professionals (EMS), have been on the front lines every day in the battle to protect public health and to care for the victims of the pandemic. Hundreds of New Jersey first responders have been infected with the COVID-19 virus while serving in the line of duty. At least 10 police officers and 15 firefighters and EMS professionals have lost their lives to COVID-19 in New Jersey. Despite these challenges and risks, the State's first responders continue to bravely serve the residents of New Jersey in the battle to defeat COVID-19.
The sacrifices of New Jersey's first responders will continue to mount during this unprecedented public health emergency. New Jersey's first responders have continued to protect the health and safety of New Jersey residents even at great personal risk and the very real potential of loss of life.
