Text of NJ AR 55 (2010)

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 55 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 214th LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 11, 2010 Sponsored by: Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA District 15 (Mercer) Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE District 37 (Bergen) SYNOPSIS Urges President and United States Congress to repeal law barring gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in United States Armed Forces. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced. An Assembly Resolution respectfully urging the President and the United States Congress to repeal the law barring gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the United States Armed Forces. Whereas, Federal law, effectively prohibits gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the United States Armed Forces and suspends questioning concerning homosexuality as part of the admittance process into the United States Armed Forces; and, Whereas, The policy that "presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability" is outdated and discriminatory; and, Whereas, The United States Armed Forces have successfully reduced racial and gender discrimination and integrated women and members of various races into its ranks; and, Whereas, Because "military effectiveness is related to military service members' shared commitment to a common goal that motivates them to work together," encouraging an environment of unity within our forces will provide better protection of the overall welfare and safety of the citizens of New Jersey and the United States, both homosexual and heterosexual, and will make our troops stronger in a theater of war; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. The President and the United States Congress are respectfully urged to repeal the law which effectively bars gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the United States Armed Forces. 2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State. STATEMENT This Assembly resolution urges the President and the United States Congress to repeal the law barring gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the United States Armed Forces.