Designates March 9 of each year as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.

2024-2025 Regular Session

Designates March 9 as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day in New Jersey and requires flag displays by state/local entities on specific dates.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee

#civilrights #commemoratio

AJR 231 (Introduced 2025)

A Joint Resolution designating March 9 of each year as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day in New Jersey, and requesting display of a related flag on specific dates.

Purpose and intent

Establishes a ceremonial observance in New Jersey recognizing Americans who have been, or may be, hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

Aligns New Jersey with the U.S. government’s designation of March 9 as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day in honor of Robert A. Levinson, a former FBI agent who remains missing since 2007.

Aims to emphasize the state’s commitment to the freedom and safe return of hostages and detainees.

Key provisions

Designation

March 9 of each year is designated as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day to honor Americans who have been held, are currently held, or may be held in the future, and to recognize their deserved freedom.

Flag display (Governor and state/local entities)

The Governor is respectfully required to annually display the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag at the State Capitol.
Encourages other state and local government entities to display the flag at their buildings.
Observance dates for flag display include:
- March 9: U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day
- June 14: Flag Day
- July 4: Independence Day
- August 19: to honor James Foley
- October 7: to honor hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023
- November 4 and January 20: to honor those held during the Iranian hostage crisis (Nov. 4, 1979 – Jan. 20, 1981)
- Any day proclaimed by the President or Congress under relevant federal law or proclamations

Effective date

The resolution takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Context and background (as stated in the bill)

The U.S. government recognizes March 9 as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, in memory of Robert A. Levinson.

Historical notes referenced include the Iranian hostage crisis (Nov. 4, 1979 – Jan. 20, 1981) and the death of James Foley (Aug. 19, 2014).

The bill cites trends in hostage/detention cases: from 2015–2025 more Americans were taken than in 2005–2014; 2024 saw at least 54 Americans held in 17 countries (with 17 released that year); as of Oct. 2025, at least 41 Americans were still held in 13 countries.

It notes the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag, described as having three abstract profiles, tally marks, and the words “Bring Them Home,” and links observance to the Bring Our Families Home campaign.

Affected entities

Primarily ceremonial in nature; directs the Governor and state/local governments to display a specific flag on designated days.

No new programs or funding are specified; the measure is a symbolic recognition and observance.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Status: Introduced in the New Jersey Assembly; referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Introduced: November 17, 2025.

As a joint resolution, its passage would typically require approval by both legislative houses and signature by the Governor (standard constitutional process for NJ joint resolutions).

Potential impact

Increases public visibility and awareness of hostage and wrongful detainee issues.

Encourages formal observances by state and local governments, potentially influencing public ceremonies, education, and advocacy efforts.

Purely ceremonial; does not create spending or new policy programs beyond flag displays.