§§1,2 -

C.36:2-333 &

36:2-334

 


P.L. 2018, Joint Resolution No. 7, approved August 17, 2018

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 125

 

 


A Joint Resolution recognizing and establishing June 20th of each year as “World Refugee Day” in New Jersey.

 

Whereas, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established in 1950 to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide; and

Whereas, The UNHCR reports that there are more refugees in the world today than at any time since World War II, and that half of the world’s refugees are children; and

Whereas, The UNHCR has determined that 1.19 million refugees are in need of immediate resettlement, and that these refugees include torture survivors, people with severe medical conditions, LGBTIQ individuals, orphaned children, women at risk of gender-based violence, all of whom cannot return to their homeland and cannot stay in their host country due to their extreme vulnerability; and

Whereas, According to the United Nations, every minute 24 people are fleeing terror, persecution, armed conflicts, and human rights abuses in Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central America, and other regions; and

Whereas, Amnesty International reports that more than half of the world’s refugees are hosted by only 10 countries, and many of those countries do not have adequate resources to keep refugees fed, housed, or safe, leaving some refugees to survive on less than 50 cents a day; and

Whereas, The United States participates in a resettlement program that is critical to global humanitarian efforts, and reflects America’s finest values, strengthens global security, and alleviates some of the burden placed on front-line host countries; and

Whereas, Refugees that enter the United States are the most vetted travelers to enter this country and are subject to extensive screening checks, including in-person interviews, biometric data checks, and multiple interagency checks; and

Whereas, It is important to remember that once they settle in the United States, such refugees contribute to their communities by starting businesses, paying taxes, and sharing their cultural traditions; and

Whereas, New Jersey has been and continues to be a welcoming home to a diverse population of refugees and immigrants who add to the economic strength and cultural richness of this State; and

Whereas, The Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has noted that the public private partnership, which makes refugee resettlement possible, is facilitated by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Church World Service (CWS), Catholic Charities (USCCB), and the Reformed Church of Highland Park (USCRI), and with the support of the IRC managed New Jersey’s Office for Refugees, which is the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Replacement Designee; and

Whereas, Within this State, these partner agencies in the last 10 years have resettled 5,388 refugees and 426 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients in New Jersey from more than 37 countries including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Syria, and Sudan; and

Whereas, These new residents are workers, students, entrepreneurs, parents, neighbors, and community leaders who contribute more than they consume in State-funded services, including schooling and health care; and

Whereas, Given the unbelievable hardships that they have experienced and their importance as residents of New Jersey, it is fitting and proper for this State to call attention to refugees worldwide by recognizing and establishing June 20th of each year as “World Refugee Day” in New Jersey; now, therefore,

 

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

 

     1.    June 20th of each year shall be designated “World Refugee Day” in New Jersey to call attention to the unbelievable hardships of refugees worldwide and their importance as residents of this State.

 

     2.    The Governor shall issue a proclamation recognizing June 20th of each year as “World Refugee Day” in New Jersey and calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This Joint Resolution designates June 20th of each year as “World Refugee Day” in New Jersey to call attention to the unbelievable hardships of refugees worldwide and their importance as residents of this State.

     The bill requires the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing June 20th of each year as “World Refugee Day” in New Jersey and calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

                                

 

     Designates June 20th annually as “World Refugee Day” in New Jersey.