ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 136

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

210th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 21, 2002

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman PAUL SARLO

District 36 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)

Assemblyman JOSEPH CRYAN

District 20 (Union)

Assemblyman STEVE CORODEMUS

District 11 (Monmouth)

Assemblyman MICHAEL J. ARNONE

District 12 (Mercer and Monmouth)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Egan and Assemblywoman Stender

SYNOPSIS

    Honors Bruce Springsteen for his musical accomplishments and contributions to the State of New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

    As introduced.

(Sponsorship Updated As Of: 5/6/2003)

A Concurrent Resolution honoring Bruce Springsteen for his many musical accomplishments and his past and ongoing contributions to the State of New Jersey.

Whereas, Bruce Springsteen was born in Long Branch in 1949, grew up in Freehold, launched his career in the seaside resort of Asbury Park in the 1970's and currently resides with his wife and three children in Colts Neck and Rumson; and

Whereas, In his decades long career as a singer-songwriter and live performer, Bruce Springsteen has sold tens of millions of albums, won over legions of loyal rock and roll fans worldwide, and recorded numerous hit singles with the E-Street Band and solo; and

Whereas, In 1994, he received an Academy Award for Best Song and four Grammys for Streets of Philadelphia and in 1999, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Many of the songs recorded by Bruce Springsteen concern or include references to New Jersey, ranging from his ode to Atlantic City, to Jersey Girl, "[c]ause down the Shore everything's all right" to his plea for Asbury Park to “rise up” in My City of Ruins, to the “swamps of Jersey” in Rosalita; and

Whereas, Additionally, Bruce Springsteen has always and continues to tirelessly promote the rejuvenation of many of New Jersey’s distressed neighborhoods by donating to community organizations in the towns in which he performs, such as food banks, homeless shelters and veterans’ organizations, and by encouraging his audiences to also support these causes; and

Whereas, Bruce Springsteen’s message throughout his body of work is one of resiliency of the human spirit and the capacity of each person in every walk of life to overcome adversity; this message continues in his newest album recorded with the E Street Band entitled The Rising, released July 30, 2002; and

Whereas, The majority of the songs contained in The Rising were written in reaction to the tragic events of September 11, 2001 as viewed from Bruce Springsteen's perspective as a member of one of the communities most affected--his home county of Monmouth lost 158 people in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, more than any other county in New Jersey; and

Whereas, The songs of The Rising pay tribute to the innocent victims of the September 11 attacks and the courageous heroes who tried to save them and serve to sooth and inspire people everywhere, instilling in them a sense of healing and hope for the future; and

Whereas, Bruce Springsteen has proven to be a true ambassador for New Jersey over the course of his distinguished career; and

Whereas, It is appropriate that this House honor the achievements of Bruce Springsteen and his past and ongoing contributions to New Jersey; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

    1. That this House honors Bruce Springsteen for his musical accomplishments and recognizes his past and ongoing contributions to the State of New Jersey.

    2. That a duly authenticated copy of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk therof and signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary therof, be presented to Bruce Springsteen.

STATEMENT

    This resolution honors Bruce Springsteen for his many musical accomplishments and his past and ongoing contributions to the State of New Jersey. Bruce Springsteen, through his music and his deeds, has proven to be a true ambassador for New Jersey over the course of his distinguished career.