SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 43

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MARCH 10, 1997

By Senator SINAGRA

A Joint Resolution declaring August 16 in each year as "National Airborne Day" in recognition of the first official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940.

Whereas, Airborne soldiers are a special breed, from the pioneers of the test platoon and glider troops to the present day volunteer paratroopers, who serve on active and reserve duty; and

Whereas, The Parachute Test Platoon was authorized by the War Department on June 25, 1940 to experiment with the potential use of airborne troops; and

Whereas, The Parachute Test Platoon, composed of 48 volunteers, began training in July 1940, and performed the first official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940; and

Whereas, The success of the Parachute Test Platoon led to the formation of a large and successful airborne contingent serving in World War II to the present; and

Whereas, The 82nd Airborne Division was the first Airborne Division organized out of the success of the Parachute Test Platoon and the early airborne training program and has continued in the active service since its creation; and

Whereas, The 82nd Airborne Division Association exists to continue and foster that special esprit de corps among fellow paratroopers and to perpetuate the memory of those 82nd Airborne Division troopers who fought and died for our nation, and to further the common bond among all members of the airborne community; and

Whereas, The current generation of troopers continue to perfect the art of landing, en masse, in the midst of the enemy, and are subjected to training designed to make them tougher, capable of taking the initiative, and prepared to fight from the instant their boots touch the ground; and

Whereas, The general membership of the 82nd Airborne Division Association approved a resolution that August 16 be declared "National Airborne Day;" and

Whereas, This State believes that the Parachute Test Platoon's "Jump into History" on August 16, 1940 should be nationally recognized and is proud to be part of the effort to have the date officially recognized nationally; now, therefore,

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

    1.    The State of New Jersey hereby declares August 16 in each year as "National Airborne Day" in recognition of the first official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940.

    2.    Duly authenticated copies of this joint resolution shall be sent to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the chairs of the appropriate standing committees of Congress, the presiding officers in each House of the legislatures of the other states of the United States, each member of the United States Congress elected thereto from New Jersey, and the Executive Director of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Inc.

    3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This joint resolution declares August 16 in each year as "National Airborne Day" in recognition of the first official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940.

Declares August 16 in each year as "National Airborne Day."