ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 542

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  OCTOBER 18, 2018

 

      The Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 542.

      As amended, this bill would designate High Point State Park as High Point Veterans’ State Park.

      In 1920 Director Alfred Gaskil of the Division of Forestry and Parks suggested that the State establish a park at High Point as the State’s memorial to its citizens who had made the supreme sacrifice in World War I.  In fulfillment of this plan, Colonel Anthony Kuser deeded his mountaintop summer estate at High Point to the State in 1923 for a public park and avian sanctuary.  In November 1927, Colonel Kuser further donated $500,000 to erect a granite-clad obelisk on New Jersey’s highest peak to honor the veterans of all wars.  The High Point Veterans’ Monument was dedicated in June 1930.

      High Point Monument is one of the most visible and best known landmarks in the State, and is a symbol of the State’s parks and forests, the purpose for which it was built has diminished over time.  It is therefore appropriate to rename the park to emphasize the original purpose to which it is dedicated and to respect the men and women who have given their lives to protect this country.

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to update and modernize some of the language used in the bill.  The amendments also made the bill identical to Assembly Committee Substitute No. 3166.