Bill Text: NJ SJR129 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Designates third Sunday of September of each year as "Puerto Rico Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-08-15 - Approved P.L.2019, JR-20. [SJR129 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-SJR129-Chaptered.html
§§1,2 -
C.36:2-373 &
36:2-374
A Joint Resolution designating the third Sunday of September of each year as "Puerto Rico Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, The people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and their culture have influenced the United States for over a century, from their participation in the United States government to their significant contributions to the arts and humanities; and
Whereas, Christopher Columbus arrived in Puerto Rico in 1493 during his second voyage to the "New World;" and
Whereas, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony until it was ceded to the United States in 1898, following the Spanish-American War; and
Whereas, On July 25, 1952, Puerto Rico ratified the "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico," which acknowledged the autonomy of Puerto Rico within its union with the United States of America; and
Whereas, According to the Pew Research Center, over five million Hispanics of Puerto Rican origin reside in the continental United States, specifically the northeastern United States and the state of Florida; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, specifically in the city of Newark, a great influx of Puerto Ricans arrived throughout the 20th Century and settled in the North Ward section of the city; and
Whereas, According to a 2014 study by the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, the Puerto Rican population in New Jersey was 468,200, which was the third largest Puerto Rican population in the continental United States; and
Whereas, According to the United States Census Bureau, Puerto Ricans account for 27.1 percent of the Latino population in New Jersey, the largest of any Latino group in the State; and
Whereas, Puerto Ricans have made significant contributions to the arts and humanities, including the introduction of Latin Pop music to the United States mainstream by such music artists as Ricky Martin and the humanitarian efforts of National Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente; and
Whereas, Puerto Ricans have risen to the highest positions in the United States government, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former Surgeon General of the United States Antonia Novello; and
Whereas, Puerto Ricans have fought in every major war of the United States since World War I and have exhibited outstanding heroism, leading many Puerto Ricans to be recognized with Congressional Medals of Honor; and
Whereas, In Newark, the "Puerto Rican Day Parade," which celebrates Puerto Rican heritage and culture through the exhibition of art, music, literature, education, and civic engagement, has been held on the third Sunday of September every year since 1962; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper that the third Sunday of September of each year be designated as "Puerto Rico Day" in the State of New Jersey to celebrate the Puerto Rican people and to acknowledge their historical and cultural significance to this State and the United States of America; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The third Sunday of September of each year is designated as "Puerto Rico Day" in the State of New Jersey to celebrate the Puerto Rican people, language, and culture and to acknowledge their significance to the State of New Jersey and the United States of America.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials, and all citizens of this State, to observe "Puerto Rico Day" with appropriate programs and activities.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates the third Sunday of September of each year as "Puerto Rico Day" in New Jersey to celebrate the Puerto Rican people, language, and culture and to acknowledge their significance to this State and the United States of America.
Christopher Columbus arrived in Puerto Rico in 1493 during his second voyage to the "New World." Puerto Rico was a Spanish Colony until it was ceded to the United States in 1898, following the Spanish-American War. On July 25, 1952, Puerto Rico ratified the "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;" which acknowledged the autonomy of Puerto Rico within its union with the United States of America.
According to the Pew Research Center, over five million Hispanics of Puerto Rican origin reside in the continental United States. In New Jersey, specifically in the city of Newark, a great influx of Puerto Ricans arrived throughout the 20th Century and settled in the North Ward section of the city. According to a 2014 study by the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, the Puerto Rican population in New Jersey was 468,200, which was the third largest Puerto Rican population in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, Puerto Ricans account for 27.1 percent of the Latino population in New Jersey, the largest of any Latino group in the State.
Puerto Ricans have made significant contributions to the arts and humanities, including the introduction of Latin Pop music to the United States mainstream by such music artists as Ricky Martin and the humanitarian efforts of Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. In addition, Puerto Ricans have risen to the highest positions in the United States government, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former Surgeon General of the United States Antonia Novello. Puerto Ricans have fought in every major war of the United States since World War I and have exhibited outstanding heroism, leading many Puerto Ricans to be recognized with Congressional Medals of Honor.
Events which celebrate Puerto Rican heritage and culture through the exhibition of art, music, literature, education, and civic engagement have taken place throughout New Jersey, including in Trenton, Paterson, and Newark. In Newark, the "Puerto Rican Day Parade" has been held on the third Sunday of September every year since 1962.
Designates third Sunday of September of each year as "Puerto Rico Day" in New Jersey.
