The resolution designates July 18 of each year as Sergeant William Harvey Carney Day in New Jersey, honoring the legacy of William Harvey Carney, the first African-American soldier to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Born into slavery in Virginia in 1840, Carney gained his freedom and joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first African-American regiments in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. He displayed extraordinary bravery during the July 18, 1863 attack on Fort Wagner, where he took up the regimental flag after the color guard was killed, continuing to carry it despite sustaining severe wounds. His actions not only exemplified valor but also contributed to the recognition of the capabilities of black soldiers in the Union Army.

The resolution calls for the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe this day with appropriate activities and programs each year. It aims to commemorate not only Carney's heroism but also the broader struggles against racial discrimination faced by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and other African-American soldiers during the Civil War. The resolution emphasizes the importance of remembering these historical figures and their contributions to American history, as reflected in cultural representations such as the film "Glory."