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SJR 158

Memorials, Recognition - B.J. Keener -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Pody

Designates June 25 as Delaware and Raritan Canal Day and calls on the Governor to issue an annual proclamation, boosting public awareness and community activities around the canal.

Signed by Governor.
#memorials #recognition
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Bill Summary · SJR 158

Summary of Senate Joint Resolution No. 158 (SJR 158)

Overview

SJR 158 designates June 25 of each year as “Delaware and Raritan Canal Day” in New Jersey and requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging observance by public officials and citizens. The resolution is a joint resolution (no new spending authority) and reflects the historical and cultural significance of the Delaware and Raritan Canal (D&R Canal).

What the bill would do

  • Designate June 25 annually as “Delaware and Raritan Canal Day.”
  • Request the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling on state and local officials and the public to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
  • Take effect immediately upon enactment.

Background and significance (as described in the bill)

  • The D&R Canal spans roughly 70 miles across New Jersey, linking the Delaware River at Bordentown to the Raritan River at New Brunswick.
  • Chartered on February 4, 1830, and opened June 25, 1834, with a ceremonial two-day procession led by Governor Peter Vroom.
  • Historically carried coal, iron, and other goods, contributing to the region’s 19th-century economic development and intercity trade (notably serving as a crucial link among Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York City).
  • In 1871, the canal carried more annual freight than New York’s Erie Canal.
  • The D&R Canal was designated a New Jersey Historical Site in 1972 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
  • The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Law of 1974 established the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park and the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission, which preserve much of the canal’s original structures and surrounding natural areas.
  • The D&R Canal State Park is reported to be the second most visited state park in New Jersey, attracting over one million visitors annually and offering recreational opportunities (boating, fishing, hiking, cycling) and wildlife habitat.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Designates June 25 of each year as “Delaware and Raritan Canal Day.”
  • Section 2: Requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation urging observance of the day with appropriate activities and programs.
  • Section 3: Provides that the resolution takes effect immediately.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced in the Senate: March 3, 2025; referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.
  • Senate action: Passed the Senate (38-0) on June 2, 2025.
  • Assembly action: Received in the Assembly on June 12, 2025; referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
  • Status: Currently referred in the Assembly; awaiting committee action.

Potential impact

  • Raises public awareness of the D&R Canal’s historical and cultural importance.
  • Encourages state and local commemorations, educational programming, and community activities without mandating funding.
  • May facilitate educational and tourism-related activities around June 25 each year, potentially benefiting local communities and organizations involved with canal preservation and interpretation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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