SENATE, No. 937

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 14, 1996

 

 

By Senators BASSANO and CONNORS

 

 

An Act concerning the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and supplementing P.L.1948, c.454 (C.27:23-1 et seq.).

 

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

 

    1. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is directed to designate the turnpike project known as the "New Jersey Turnpike" the "New Jersey Pearl Harbor Memorial Turnpike." The authority shall erect appropriate route and directional signs bearing this name.

 

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill directs the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to designate the turnpike project known as the "New Jersey Turnpike" the "New Jersey Pearl Harbor Memorial Turnpike."

    The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, on Oahu Island, Hawaii, which was the base of a substantial portion of the United States' Pacific Fleet resulted in the immediate entry of the United States into World War II. In the surprise attack on December 7, 1941, 18 U.S. ships were hit and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed or damaged. Approximately 2,400 Americans were killed, 1,300 wounded and 1,000 declared missing. The first casualty of the attack was a New Jerseyan.

    At present, New Jersey does not have a Pearl Harbor memorial. The designation of the "New Jersey Turnpike" as the "New Jersey Pearl Harbor Memorial Turnpike" would be a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives as a result of that attack.

 

 

                             

Directs that "New Jersey Turnpike" be designated the "New Jersey Pearl Harbor Memorial Turnpike."