No. 193
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman SEAN T. KEAN
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Designates April 27th of each year as Ulysses S. Grant Day.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating April 27th of each year as Ulysses S. Grant Day.
Whereas, Hiram Ulysses Grant, now known as Ulysses S. Grant, was born on April 27, 1822 to a family of tanners in Ohio; and
Whereas, In 1839 Grant received an appointment to the United States Military Academy of West Point; and
Whereas, After graduating in 1843 Grant served in the Mexican War, fighting in nearly every battle and earning a reputation for bravery; and
Whereas, When the Civil War began in April of 1861, Grant selflessly offered to rejoin the United States military and, through his gallantry, was appointed by President Lincoln to be the commanding general of all Union armies in March 1864; and
Whereas, During the last year of the Civil War, Grants wife, Julia, and four children resided at 309 Wood Street in Burlington, New Jersey, a location Grant visited on the day of President Lincolns assassination and on other occasions; and
Whereas, Grant was heralded as an instrumental force in leading the Union to victory against the Confederacy and was elected as President of the United States in 1868 and 1872; and
Whereas, As president, Grant was known for ensuring the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, legislation protecting civil rights, gold resumption, establishing the nations first national park at Yellowstone, and seeking to reform the political patronage system; and
Whereas, President Grant advocated for peace both domestically and internationally, as he sought to peaceably foster relations with Native-Americans and created a framework for international disagreements after settling disputes with Great Britain, where Confederate commerce raiders were constructed during the Civil War; and
Whereas, During Grants presidency, he frequently visited the Jersey Shore after visiting Long Branch for the first time in 1867, stating, In all my travels I have never seen a place better suited for a summer residence than Long Branch; and
Whereas, Beginning in 1869, Grant, along with his family, summered at the Stetson Hotel in Long Branch, New Jersey; and
Whereas, On August 3, 1869, Grant announced his acquisition of a cottage at 991 Ocean Avenue in the Elberon section of Long Branch, New Jersey; and
Whereas, After Grants presidency ended in 1877, he continued to vacation in Long Branch, New Jersey, wherein he drafted parts of his memoirs and made his final public appearance in Ocean Grove in 1884; and
Whereas, Although Grant passed away 1885, his reverence for Long Branch remained as he popularized the destination for future presidents such as James Garfield, Rutherford Hayes, Chester Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson; and
Whereas, Grants bravery during the Civil War and unwavering courage to promote the unity and equality of all Americans should be honored by the people of New Jersey; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to honor President Grant for his outstanding contributions to the United States; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. April 27th of each year is designated as Ulysses S. Grant Day in the State of New Jersey in recognition of his outstanding contributions to this State and the nation.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe Ulysses S. Grant Day with appropriate events and activities.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates April 27th of each year as Ulysses S. Grant Day to promote greater public appreciation of the invaluable contributions made by Ulysses S. Grant. Ulysses S. Grant bravely served in the United States military through two treacherous wars. As the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant continued to fight for peace, prosperity, and equal rights. History remembers Ulysses S. Grant not only as an important political leader, but an impenetrable force against tyranny for all Americans. Ulysses S. Grant also brought attention to the Jersey Shore, as he and numerous presidents thereafter vacationed in Long Branch. It is fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to honor President Ulysses S. Grant for his many outstanding contributions to this State and the United States.