Bill Text: NJ AJR157 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates April of each year as "Arab American Heritage Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-01-12 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [AJR157 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-AJR157-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SADAF F. JAFFER
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Designates April of each year as "Arab American Heritage Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of April of each year as "Arab American Heritage Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, The United States is home to more than 3.5 million Arab Americans, 116,000 of whom reside in New Jersey; and
Whereas, New Jersey has the seventh largest Arab American population in the country; and
Whereas, Arab Americans, who collectively trace their origins to nearly two dozen Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa, represent a rich diversity of cultures, dialects, religions, and traditions; and
Whereas, Recognizing that Arab Americans have long contributed to the civic, cultural, economic, and social fabric of this State, Governor Jon S. Corzine issued Executive Order No. 123 in 2008 to establish the New Jersey Arab American Heritage Commission; and
Whereas, The commission is tasked with a variety of responsibilities, which include the dissemination of information on Arab American heritage, culture, and history through a month-long observance in April of each year; and
Whereas, States that have recognized April as Arab American Heritage Month include Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia; and
Whereas, Despite the widespread national recognition of April as Arab American Heritage Month and the State of New Jersey's ongoing efforts to observe the many contributions of Arab Americans to the civic, cultural, economic, and social fabric of this State, the New Jersey State Legislature has not yet formally recognized April as Arab American Heritage Month; and
Whereas, There has been an increase in recent incidents of hate speech against Arab Americans in New Jersey, particularly in schools, and education is critical to combating bigotry; and
Whereas, In keeping with the State of New Jersey's commitment to promoting respect and tolerance for all cultures and traditions in the State, it is entirely fitting and proper that the State of New Jersey designate April as Arab American Heritage Month to observe the heritage, culture, and history of Arab Americans; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of April of each year is designated as "Arab American Heritage Month" in the State of New Jersey to observe the heritage, culture, and history of Americans of Arab ancestry.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Arab American Heritage Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of April of each year as "Arab American Heritage Month" in New Jersey.
The United States is home to more than 3.5 million Arab Americans, 116,000 of whom reside in New Jersey, which has the seventh largest Arab American population in the country. Arab Americans, who collectively trace their origins to nearly two dozen Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa, represent a rich diversity of cultures, dialects, religions, and traditions. There has been an increase in recent incidents of hate speech against Arab Americans in New Jersey, particularly in schools, and education is critical to combating bigotry.
Recognizing that Arab Americans have long contributed to the civic, cultural, economic, and social fabric of this State, Governor Jon S. Corzine issued Executive Order No. 123 in 2008 to establish the New Jersey Arab American Heritage Commission. The commission is tasked with a variety of responsibilities, which include the dissemination of information on Arab American heritage, culture, and history through a month-long observance in April of each year.
Other states that have recognized April as Arab American Heritage Month include Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
