SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 46
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
INTRODUCED MAY 5, 1997
By Senators MCGREEVEY and LIPMAN
A Joint Resolution designating March 31 of each year as "Thomas Mundy Peterson Day."
Whereas, Thomas Mundy Peterson (1824-1904), a citizen of Perth Amboy, cast the first vote by an African-American in the United States after the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution; and
Whereas, Thomas Mundy Peterson voted in a municipal charter referendum held in the city of Perth Amboy on March 31, 1870, one day after the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment; and
Whereas, Thomas Mundy Peterson cast his ballot in favor of a revised City Charter in the City Hall of Perth Amboy, the oldest municipal building in continuous use in the United States and site of the first State ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as "The Bill of Rights," in November 1789; and
Whereas, Thomas Mundy Peterson was known throughout Perth Amboy as "an honorable and good citizen" and was awarded a gold medal in 1884 by the citizens of Perth Amboy in commemoration of his historic 1870 vote; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper that the State of New Jersey recognize Thomas Mundy Peterson for claiming the right of suffrage at the polls on March 31, 1870 and treading a path for others to follow; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. March 31 of each year is designated as Thomas Mundy Peterson Day in recognition of his historic vote on March 31, 1870.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this joint resolution shall be transmitted to the descendants of Thomas Mundy Peterson and the City of Perth Amboy.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates March 31 of each year as "Thomas Mundy Peterson Day" in recognition of the first vote cast by an African-American in the United States after the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Thomas Mundy Peterson (1824-1904) cast his vote in a municipal charter referendum in the city of Perth Amboy on March 31, 1870.
Designates March 31 of each year as "Thomas Mundy Peterson Day."