Bill Text: NJ AJR47 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates a portion of Delaware and Raritan Canal as "Joseph P. Merlino Trail."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [AJR47 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AJR47-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Designates a portion of Delaware and Raritan Canal as "Joseph P. Merlino Trail."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating a portion of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in Trenton as the "Joseph P. Merlino Trail."
Whereas, Joseph P. Merlino was a dedicated, long-time member of the New Jersey Legislature, having served for a total of 14 years in both the General Assembly and the Senate, and having acted as assistant Senate majority leader from 1974 to 1975, as Senate majority leader from 1976 to 1977, and as Senate President from 1978 to 1981; and
Whereas, Joseph P. Merlino was a life-long resident of Trenton, New Jersey, and was the last Senate President to come from Mercer County; and
Whereas, Joseph P. Merlino was a tireless environmental advocate, and most significantly, as Senate President, he sponsored and assisted in the passage of the Pinelands Protection Act - a major piece of environmental legislation that authorized the protection of almost 20 percent of the State's land area; and
Whereas, Joseph P. Merlino was also a vigorous advocate for urban communities - sponsoring the legislation that established the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, P.L.1974, c.118, and including in that legislation, a mandate that the park commission give special consideration to "the range of uses and potential uses of the canal in the urban environments of the older, intensively developed communities through which it passes"; and
Whereas, In addition to his work as a State Legislator, Joseph P. Merlino served the Trenton community, in particular, for more than 30 years, as senior partner of the Trenton law firm, Merlino, Rottkamp and Flacks, as assistant prosecutor for Mercer County, as a Trenton city attorney, and as a board member for both the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton and the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra; and
Whereas, In tribute to Joseph P. Merlino, in recognition of his unwavering dedication to the people of Trenton, to urban communities, and to the State and its environmental resources, and in order to perpetuate his memory, it is fitting and proper to designate the section of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in Trenton, New Jersey, from Mulberry Street to Old Rose Street and from Old Rose Street to Sullivan Way, as the "Joseph P. Merlino Trail"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall designate the section of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in Trenton, New Jersey, from Mulberry Street to Old Rose Street and from Old Rose Street to Sullivan Way, as the "Joseph P. Merlino Trail."
The commissioner is authorized to erect appropriate signs bearing that name, and is further authorized to erect directional, informational, educational, cultural, or historical signs to improve the visitor's experience of this section of the canal.
2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the section of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in Trenton, New Jersey, from Mulberry Street to Old Rose Street, and from Old Rose Street to Sullivan Way, as the "Joseph P. Merlino Trail."
