Bill Text: NJ SJR107 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates the second full week in September of each year as "Trucker Appreciation Week."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-12-15 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [SJR107 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-SJR107-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator EDWARD DURR
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Designates the second full week in September of each year as "Trucker Appreciation Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the second full week in September of each year as "Trucker Appreciation Week."
Whereas, Nearly every aspect of daily life is made possible because truckers deliver the goods and resources that people need in a safe, secure, and timely manner, while serving a crucial, and often overlooked, role in connecting and sustaining the nation's economy; and
Whereas, Not only does trucking provide well-paying jobs, but the State's trucking industry is a key contributor in the nation's road transportation and logistics network; and
Whereas, According to the American Transportation Research Institute, the State's trucking industry accounts for 214,000 jobs and transports 314,000 tons of goods daily; and
Whereas, Although, over one million professional men and women are employed as drivers nationwide, there is currently a substantial trucker shortage due to high demand driven by online shopping, a retiring workforce, and a lack of new drivers entering the industry; and
Whereas, Due to the constant demand for delivery and parcel services, many truckers are often forced to work irregular shifts, sacrificing time away from their friends and family while enduring long days behind the wheel, spending nights in gas station parking lots, or sleeping on the side of the road; and
Whereas, Truckers have also shown a willingness to work in dangerous conditions during times of crisis to ensure that the public receives crucial goods and resources, including when truckers served as frontline workers to alleviate supply chain backlogs and transport essential goods and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Whereas, Without the contributions of truckers, there is little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic would have unleashed even more harm on the physical and economic well-being of the people of this State; and
Whereas, Shortages of truck drivers during this unprecedented crisis have caused many truckers to work extra shifts and longer hours in difficult and dangerous conditions; and
Whereas, There is an urgent need to increase public awareness and engagement in the trucking industry to help mitigate potential devastating effects on the economy that could occur as a result of the trucker shortage; and
Whereas, This State should continue to highlight the important role it plays in the trucking industry by paying respect to thanking all the professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one of our economy's most demanding and important jobs; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to designate the second full week in September of each year as "Trucker Appreciation Week" in New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The second full week of September of each year is designated as "Trucker Appreciation Week" as a token of appreciation and respect to professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one of our economy's most demanding and important jobs.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing "Trucker Appreciation Week" in New Jersey, and to call upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the second full week of September of each year as "Trucker Appreciation Week."
Nearly every aspect of daily
life is made possible because truckers deliver the goods and resources that
people need in a safe, secure, and timely manner, while serving a crucial, and
often overlooked, role in connecting and sustaining the nation's economy. Although,
over one million professional men and women are employed as drivers nationwide,
there is currently a substantial trucker shortage due to high demand driven by
online shopping, a retiring workforce, and a lack of new drivers entering the
industry. Truckers have also shown a willingness to work in dangerous
conditions during times of crisis to ensure that the public receives crucial
goods and resources, including when truckers served as frontline workers to
alleviate supply chain backlogs and transport essential goods and resources
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortages of truck drivers during this
unprecedented crisis have caused many truckers to work extra shifts and longer
hours in difficult and dangerous conditions. There is an urgent need to
increase public awareness and engagement in the trucking industry to help
mitigate potential devastating effects on the economy that could occur as a
result of the trucker shortage. This State should continue to highlight the
important role it plays in the trucking industry by paying respect to thanking
all the professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in
undertaking one of
our economy's most demanding and important jobs. As such, it is altogether
fitting and proper to celebrate the contributions of these workers by
designating "Trucker Appreciation Week." in this State.
