ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 91

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JULY 18, 1996

By Assemblymen STEELE and T.SMITH

A Concurrent Resolution urging all New Jersey elected officials to attend a worship service during the month of July to demonstrate unity of support for efforts to stop damage and destruction to churches and houses of worship.

Whereas, The incidence of desecration of places of worship and burial grounds has increased at an alarming rate in recent years; and

Whereas, Since 1990, more than 60 such incidents involving arson at religious institutions in 15 states have been investigated with more than 40 remaining unsolved; and

Whereas, Nearly 40 of these incidents have occurred at predominantly black religious institutions in southern states; and

Whereas, Federal, state and local officials across the country are committed to investigating , apprehending and prosecuting the persons responsible for these crimes, and are investigating whether the acts of arson directed at the religious institutions are a part of an organized conspiracy or based on random acts of hatred; and

Whereas, Such openly hostile acts of violence must be denounced through the strongest possible means by all persons committed to religious and racial tolerance; and

Whereas, New Jersey elected officials are to be encouraged to take a leadership role in denouncing these acts of violence; in demonstrating a commitment bring the responsible parties to justice and in showing support for the federal, state and local efforts already underway to stop these incidents; now, therefore

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

    1. Every Member of Congress elected from this State, and every elected official in New Jersey at the State, county and local government level is encouraged to attend a religious worship service during the month of July to demonstrate unity of support for federal, state and local efforts against burning, defacing or defiling churches and houses of worship.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly the President of the Senate and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly and Secretary of the Senate shall be transmitted to each Member of Congress elected from this State, and each elected official in New Jersey at the State, county and local government level.

STATEMENT

    This Assembly Concurrent Resolution encourages every elected official for the State of New Jersey to attend a religious worship service during the month of July to show support for efforts to condemn damage and destruction to churches and religious institutions.

Encourages elected officials to attend religious worship services to support efforts against destruction of religious institutions.