ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 33

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

 

 

By Assemblyman IMPREVEDUTO

 

 

An Assembly Resolution expressing disapproval of the United States Congress for eliminating funding for the proposed footbridge connecting Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Ellis Island, New York, and praising Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Robert Menendez of the New Jersey congressional delegation for supporting the funding for the bridge.

 

Whereas, Four out of every 10 Americans can trace their heritage through Ellis Island, New York, where under the shadow of the Statute of Liberty their parents, grandparents and great grandparents endured the final challenges of their journeys and the first challenges of the New World; and

Whereas, For this nation of immigrants, Ellis Island today, even in its partially restored condition, is a national historical monument to the constant struggle of self-improvement that has become the essence of the American Dream; and

Whereas, The buildings on Ellis Island and the exhibits housed in them are a tangible inspiring reminder of the power of dreams and the importance of family and roots in a time when cynicism threatens the very fabric of the nation; and

Whereas, While immigrants once struggled to save $25 to come to America, most families wishing to visit Ellis Island today must pay close to that amount, at a cost of $6.50 per adult and $4.25 per child, to take the ferry to Ellis Island; and

Whereas, Construction of a permanent footbridge linking Liberty State Park and Ellis Island would make Ellis Island affordable and accessible to everyone and, according to the completed environmental impact study of the proposed footbridge project, would significantly boost visitor rates by more than 100,000 visitors and help save the 28 buildings yet to be restored, one of which is the former hospital complex on the island's southern half; and

Whereas, While efforts by the United States Congress to cut the deficit by limiting ongoing spending on programs are important to balance the federal budget, but the cost of a permanent footbridge, $15 million, would be a relatively small, one-time expense that would make this national treasure accessible to everyone at little cost; and

Whereas, The United States Congress has chosen to cut out federal funding for the proposed footbridge, thereby cutting off the likelihood of any permanent footbridge being constructed to Ellis Island; and

Whereas, Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Robert Menendez have been vocal opponents to eliminating this funding, criticizing in the press and on the floor of the United States Congress the failure of vision and partisanship that has driven the elimination of this funding; now, therefore,

 

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

 

    1. This house disapproves of the United States Congress for eliminating funding for the proposed footbridge connecting Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey to Ellis Island, New York, and praises Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Robert Menendez of the New Jersey congressional delegation for supporting the federal funding for the bridge.

 

    2. Copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Governor of the State, the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and every member of Congress elected from this State.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This resolution expresses disapproval of the United States Congress for eliminating funding for the proposed footbridge connecting Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Ellis Island, New York, and praises for Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Robert Menendez of the New Jersey congressional delegation for supporting the funding for the bridge.

 

 

 

Disapproves of the United States Congress eliminating funding for the footbridge to Ellis Island and praises Senator Lautenberg and Congressman Menendez for supporting funding the bridge.