SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 136

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 1, 1997

By Senators DiFRANCESCO and LYNCH

A Concurrent Resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1947 New Jersey Constitution.

Whereas, The New Jersey Constitution is the cornerstone of our State government and the vehicle of our life as a State; and

Whereas, The citizens of New Jersey look to their Constitution for the embodiment of principles designed to guarantee basic individual rights and produce a well-ordered frame of State government; and

Whereas, The landmark year of 1947 has been described as a “Dry Revolution” in the history of New Jersey where the citizens of our State, through their elected representatives, exercised their right to alter their form of government by calling a constitutional convention; and

Whereas, Governor Alfred E. Driscoll commenced the 1947 constitutional convention beginning on the twelfth of June, where 81 devout, wise and just citizens including lawyers, bankers, teachers, ministers, judges, journalists, brokers, industrialists, homemakers and legislators convened unpaid for three months in the Rutgers University gymnasium; and

Whereas, The delegates of the 1947 constitutional convention, building on at least six years of groundwork initiated by former governors and public-spirited advocates of constitutional reform, designed a glorious, succinct charter providing for a more efficient and effective operation of government, a unified court system, a strong, central executive office, anti-segregation in public schools, the right to collectively bargain and equal rights for all persons; and

Whereas, On November 4, 1947, the citizens of the State of New Jersey ratified the Constitution by an overwhelming consensus, 653,096 to 184,632, as majorities in 20 of the State’s 21 counties approved the charter; and

Whereas, Today, the 1947 charter is regarded as one of the most innovative and influential state constitutions in the 20th century and as one of the crowning achievements of modern New Jersey political history; now, therefore,

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

    1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1947 New Jersey Constitution, recognizes its distinction as a model, forward-looking charter that has provided the framework for modern State government in New Jersey and pays tribute to the inspirational efforts of the men and women who molded the celebrated charter.

    2. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey calls upon the good citizens of New Jersey to join in observing the 50th anniversary of its ratification.

STATEMENT

    This concurrent resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1947 New Jersey Constitution and recognizes its distinction as a model charter that has provided the framework for modern State government in New Jersey. The 81 delegates to the 1947 constitutional convention revised the State Constitution to provide for a unified court system, a strong, centralized governor and equal rights for all persons. New Jersey’s modern Constitution has been heralded as a pathbreaking charter and a model for states across the nation.

Commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1947 New Jersey Constitution.