Bill Text: NJ AR52 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorates 200th anniversary of commencement of the War of 1812 and honors the service and sacrifice of New Jerseyans in the War of 1812.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Failed) 2012-11-19 - Withdrawn from Consideration [AR52 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR52-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ROBERT D. CLIFTON
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Commemorates 200th anniversary of commencement of the War of 1812 and honors the service and sacrifice of New Jerseyans in the War of 1812.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution honoring the contributions of the State of New Jersey to the War of 1812 and commemorating the 200th anniversary of the start of the War of 1812.
Whereas, June 18, 2012 will mark the 200th anniversary of the commencement of the War of 1812, also known as the Second War for Independence, fought between the United States and Great Britain; and
Whereas, In the years leading up to the War of 1812, Great Britain had interfered with American trade with France, forced American citizens to serve in the Royal Navy, fired upon and boarded the USS Chesapeake without provocation, and encouraged Native American raids against American settlements along the northwest and Canadian borders; and
Whereas, The United States declared war against Great Britain on June 18, 1812, and President James Madison subsequently mobilized the American military for its defense; and
Whereas, Following the outbreak of war, New Jersey established itself as a vital contributor to the war effort when the State sent 3,500 militiamen to fight and several prominent New Jerseyans made significant contributions to the War of 1812; and
Whereas, Governor Joseph Bloomfield resigned the governorship to assume command of the Third Military District and trained over 8,000 men for a campaign into Canada, as well as later preparing to defend Philadelphia against a possible British invasion; and
Whereas, New Jersey-born Captain James Lawrence became a fallen naval hero when his ship, the USS Chesapeake, was captured by the British on June 1, 1813, and his dying command of "Don't Give Up the Ship" became an enduring naval slogan; and
Whereas, Ebenezer Elmer, Adjutant General of the New Jersey Militia and member of the now-defunct New Jersey Legislative Council, predecessor of the New Jersey Senate, commanded eight of the eleven companies sent by Gloucester County and deployed at Billingsport, Cape May, and Port Elizabeth for coastal defense; and
Whereas, New Jersey-born General Zebulon Montgomery Pike led the 15th U.S. Infantry, known as the "New Jersey Regiment," in a number of battles in Canada and upstate New York, leading to the capture of Toronto and Fort George in 1813 and was considered one of the U.S. Army's best regiments; and
Whereas, The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, and although the winner was inconclusive, the war created an upsurge in American nationalism and the United States gained new respect from the old powers of Europe; and
Whereas, In order to properly recognize the significant impact of the War of 1812 on the United States and the important role of New Jersey in this historic event, it is fitting for this House to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the commencement of the War of 1812 and honor the service and sacrifice of New Jerseyans; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House hereby honors the service and sacrifice of the New Jerseyans who fought the War of 1812 and commemorates the 200th anniversary of the start of the War of 1812.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution commemorates the 200th anniversary of the commencement of the War of 1812 and honors the service and sacrifice of New Jerseyans in that war.
The War of 1812 was influential in producing an upsurge of American nationalism and a new respect for the infant republic among the old European powers. New Jersey played an important part in the war, when the State sent 3,500 militiamen to fight and several prominent New Jerseyans made significant contributions to the war. The 15th United States Infantry, which was known as the "New Jersey Regiment," proved to be one of the best regiments of the American army. Generals Zebulon Montgomery Pike, Joseph Bloomfield, and Ebenezer Elmer commanded troops in the war. Captain James Lawrence is immortalized for his dying command of "Don't Give Up The Ship," when the USS Chesapeake was about to be captured by the British. It is therefore appropriate to recognize these contributions to the war.
