Sponsored by:
Senator KRISTIN M. CORRADO
District 40 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)
Senator JOSEPH A. LAGANA
District 38 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Designates 9/11 Heart Symbol flag as official State flag; mandates it be displayed at certain public buildings and memorials.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating the 9/11 Heart Symbol flag as an official State flag and supplementing chapter 3 of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Whereas, The September 11, 2001 terror attacks were four coordinated suicide attacks carried out by the militant Islamic extremist network al-Qaeda against the United State; and
Whereas, The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, Among the victims, approximately 750 were New Jersey citizens, accounting for the most lives lost by any state after New York; and
Whereas, The September 11th attacks remain the deadliest terrorist attack on United States soil; and
Whereas, In honor of the lives lost in the attacks, 150 memorial sites have been erected in this State in memory of the New Jersey residents who tragically perished in the attacks; and
Whereas, September 11th is a solemn day, not only in our countrys history but also in the State of New Jersey, where every year New Jersey citizens join together to honor, remember, and pay tribute to the residents whose lives were lost in the attacks; and
Whereas, The 9/11 Heart Symbol was designed by artist Louie Ponstingel in the wake of the September 11th terror attacks as a tribute to the victims who lost their lives on that day; and
Whereas, The 9/11 Heart Symbol Flag is a white banner featuring a red heart symbol with white lettering which reads 9-11-01 Never Forgotten with a silhouette of the twin towers in place of the number eleven. The bottom portion of the heart symbol is blue with a white star; and
Whereas, The imagery of the 9/11 Heart Symbol evokes strong emotions and provides a clear message that the September 11th attacks, and the lives that were cut short or forever affected on that day, must never be forgotten; and
Whereas, It is, therefore, altogether fitting and proper that this State adopt the 9/11 Heart Symbol flag as an official State flag to honor and memorialize the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on this country; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The 9/11 Heart Symbol flag is designated an official State flag for remembrance of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, the lives that were lost or forever affected on that day, and the heroism and bravery displayed by Americans in response to the attacks. The 9/11 Heart Symbol Flag is a white banner featuring a red heart symbol with white lettering which reads 9-11-01 Never Forgotten with a silhouette of the twin towers in place of the number eleven. The bottom portion of the heart symbol is blue with a white star.
b. The flag shall be displayed during normal business hours at any memorial sites in this State dedicated to honoring the victims of the September 11th terror attacks, and during normal business hours at the State House in Trenton, the principal municipal building in each municipality, and the principal county building in each county seat on September 11th of each year.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the 9/11 Heart Symbol flag as an official State flag for remembrance of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, the lives that were lost or forever affected on that day, and the heroism and bravery displayed by Americans in response to the attacks. The bill mandates that the flag be displayed during normal business hours at any memorial sites in this State dedicated to honoring the victims of the September 11th terror attacks, and during normal business hours at the State House in Trenton, the principal municipal building in each municipality, and the principal county building in each county seat on September 11th of each year.