SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 114

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 7, 2019

      The Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Joint Resolution No. 114.

      This resolution designates June 12 of each year as “Women Veterans Appreciation Day.” Women have served in the United States Armed Forces informally and formally since the American Revolution. Whether disguised as male soldiers during the American Revolution and Civil War, as nurses in World Wars I and II, or as combat helicopter pilots in Afghanistan, women have served the Nation honorably.

      Today, women constitute approximately 15 percent of the military personnel on active duty. The population of women veterans is expected to reach 2 million by 2020, increasing exponentially from 1.1 million in 1980, and comprising more than 10 percent of the veteran population. To highlight the growing presence of women in the armed forces and to illustrate the State’s appreciation for women veterans, the Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe June 12 of each year as “Women Veterans Appreciation Day” in New Jersey.