Bill Text: NJ AJR76 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permanently designates third Thursday in November as "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2014-01-13 - Passed by the Assembly (79-0-0) [AJR76 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AJR76-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DAVID P. RIBLE
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblyman SEAN T. KEAN
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Permanently designates third Thursday in November as "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution permanently designating the third Thursday in November as "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Many children 15 years of age or younger will suffer the loss of one or both parents, an immediate family member, or a close friend; and
Whereas, The majority of children and teens grieving a loved one feel alone, misunderstood, and fearful, causing an inability to manage or even face their grief; and
Whereas, Many adults and other children erroneously believe that grieving children and teens are resilient enough to "get over" their grief, which is why children and teens are often called "forgotten mourners"; and
Whereas, The unresolved grief of children and teens who experience the death of a parent, an immediate family member, or a close friend may lead to depression, hopelessness, and other mental health issues, including anxiety disorders and substance abuse, later in life; and
Whereas, Grief centers throughout New Jersey provide peer support to children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent, primary caregiver, sibling, family member, neighbor, or friend, offer comfort and guidance to young people and their families in their time of grief, and educate the community, including schools and businesses, on the profound effects that this type of personal loss has on children and teens; and
Whereas, National "Children's Grief Awareness Day" is observed every year on the third Thursday in November (the Thursday before the Thanksgiving holiday) to recognize and support grieving children and teens throughout the country during a part of the year when those mourning the loss of a loved one often feel alone and set apart from their peers; and
Whereas, The permanent establishment of "Children's Grief Awareness Day" on the Thursday before the Thanksgiving holiday will raise public awareness about childhood bereavement and give the citizens of the State the opportunity to express their support for the thousands of children and teens living in New Jersey who have suffered the loss of a loved one and recognize the efforts of local grief centers, such as Common Ground Grief Center in Manasquan, Good Grief in Morristown, and The Alcove Center for Grieving Children in Northfield, for their work on behalf of grieving children and teens; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The third Thursday in November of each year is permanently designated as "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in New Jersey in order to raise public awareness about childhood bereavement and give the citizens of the State the opportunity to express their support for the thousands of children and teens living in New Jersey who have suffered the loss of a loved one and recognize the efforts of local grief centers, such as Common Ground Grief Center in Manasquan, Good Grief in Morristown, and The Alcove Center for Grieving Children in Northfield, for their work on behalf of grieving children and teens.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the third Thursday in November as "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in New Jersey and calling upon public officials, the citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution permanently designates the third Thursday in November, the Thursday before the Thanksgiving holiday, "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in New Jersey in order to raise public awareness about childhood bereavement and give the citizens of the State the opportunity to express their support for the thousands of children and teens living in New Jersey who have suffered the loss of a loved one and recognize the efforts of local grief centers, such as Common Ground Grief Center in Manasquan, Good Grief in Morristown, and The Alcove Center for Grieving Children in Northfield, for their work on behalf of grieving children and teens.
