Expresses support for federal legislation to study potential creation of National Museum of Irish-American History.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Moen

NJ Assembly backs federal study to create a National Museum of Irish-American History, urging Congress and the President to form a commission; highlights Irish heritage's impact.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee

#memorializat

Overview

AR 191 is a New Jersey General Assembly memorialization that expresses support for federal legislation to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Irish-American History. It is classified as a resolution and is introduced to the Assembly, currently referred to the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee.

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose is to endorse the idea that the United States should explore the creation of a National Museum of Irish-American History.

It urges Congress and the President to enact federal legislation establishing a commission to study the museum’s potential creation.

The resolution frames Irish-American heritage as a significant part of American and New Jersey history and culture, and it seeks to elevate public understanding through a national museum.

Key Provisions

Section 1: The New Jersey General Assembly expresses support for the creation of a National Museum of Irish-American History and urges federal action to establish a commission to study its potential creation.

Section 2: Transmittal provision requiring copies of the resolution to be sent to the President, Vice-President, and every Member of Congress elected from New Jersey.

The Statement of Purpose (not a legislative provision but the accompanying rationale) emphasizes the historical presence and influence of Irish immigrants and their descendants, the demographic scale of Irish heritage in the U.S. and New Jersey, and the cultural contributions of notable Irish-Americans from New Jersey.

Context notes March as “Irish-American Heritage Month” in New Jersey.

Affected Parties and Jurisdiction

State: New Jersey, with emphasis on how Irish heritage has shaped both the state and the nation.

Federal level: The resolution targets federal action, urging Congress and the President to consider establishing a study commission.

Irish-American community and heritage organizations, educators, cultural institutions, and the general public interested in U.S. cultural history.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee.

Introduced: May 15, 2025.

Nature: Memorialization resolution; it does not authorize spending or create a state museum. Instead, it expresses state legislative support and requests federal study through a commission.

Next steps (not stated in the text): If advanced, the measure would typically proceed through committee consideration, potential floor votes, and, if approved, be transmitted as a formal expression of the Assembly’s position to federal authorities.

Supporting Context

The resolution cites demographic data (approx. 31 million Americans with Irish ancestry; over 1 million in New Jersey) and historical labor contributions by Irish-Americans.

Highlights notable Irish-Americans from New Jersey (e.g., Grover Cleveland, Bruce Springsteen, John Travolta, Anne Hathaway, Justice William J. Brennan) to illustrate cultural impact.

Frames the museum concept as a means to preserve culture, educate future generations, and illuminate the historical experiences of Irish-Americans.

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