A1393

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman MICHAEL PATRICK CARROLL

District 25 (Morris)

Assemblyman JAY WEBBER

District 26 (Morris and Passaic)

Assemblyman GARY R. CHIUSANO

District 24 (Sussex, Hunterdon and Morris)

Assemblywoman ALISON LITTELL MCHOSE

District 24 (Sussex, Hunterdon and Morris)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman DiCicco and Assemblywoman N.Munoz

SYNOPSIS

Designates New Jersey Route No. 15 as "Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway."

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

An Act designating New Jersey Route No. 15 as the "Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway."

Whereas, Ronald Wilson Reagan, born February 6, 1911, was a man of humble origins who worked throughout his life serving freedom and advancing the public good, having been employed as a lifeguard, radio announcer, actor, union leader, corporate spokesman, Governor of California, and President of the United States; and

Whereas, President Reagan served two terms as the fortieth President of the United States, being elected to his second term by a record margin that is unsurpassed in the history of American presidential elections, and becoming an uncommonly important political figure in American history; and

Whereas, In 1981, President Reagan inherited a disillusioned nation that was shackled by rampant inflation and high unemployment, but at the end of his two terms in office, the nation was experiencing the longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without a recession or depression; and

Whereas, President Reagan was committed to strengthening the nation's armed forces, but he also provided security for the nation peacefully by negotiating a treaty with the Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles; and

Whereas, President Reagan's vision of "peace through strength" helped lead to the end of the Cold War and the ultimate demise of the Soviet Union, guaranteeing the basic human rights of millions of people; and

Whereas, While both Democrats and Republicans praise President Reagan as the "Great Communicator" who brought back a sense of warmth and hope towards the presidency, Republicans credit President Reagan as the father of the modern conservative movement who profoundly reshaped the Republican Party and the American political landscape of today; and

Whereas, President Reagan died on June 5, 2004 at his home in Bel Air, California surrounded by his wife and children at the age of 93 after battling the effects of Alzheimer's disease for a decade; and

Whereas, There are no State roads or highways, public schools, bridges, stadiums, or airports in the State of New Jersey that are named in honor of President Reagan; and

Whereas, It is fitting and proper for the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to honor President Reagan for his many contributions to America and to the State of New Jersey by designating the entire length of New Jersey Route No. 15 as the "Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway"; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the entire length of New Jersey Route No. 15 as the "Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.

2. No State or other public funds shall be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial aid in any form from any private source for the purpose of funding the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs pursuant to section 1 of this act.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill designates New Jersey Route No. 15 as the "Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway" to honor the President who worked throughout his life serving freedom and advancing the public good and who established a legacy that continues to reshape the American political landscape today. Currently, there are no State roads, bridges, or public buildings that are named in honor of President Reagan.