AR 250

ASSEMBLY
RESOLUTION No. 250
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 2026
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman� CRAIG J. COUGHLIN
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
���� Provides for General Assembly to hold special
commemorative session at Princeton University on February 5, 2026.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
An Assembly
Resolution providing for
the General Assembly to hold a special commemorative session at Princeton
University on February 5, 2026.
Whereas,
The State of New Jersey declared its independence from Great Britain and
established a system of self-government upon its adoption of the first State
Constitution in July 1776; and
Whereas,
The residents of the State promptly embraced this new form of government,
holding elections for members of a Legislative Council, the precursor to the modern-day
State Senate, and a General Assembly just a few weeks later; and
Whereas,
The elected legislators met in Princeton, New Jersey, and held the very first
meeting of the General Assembly at Nassau Hall at Princeton University in
August 1776; and
Whereas,
The first legislative session, held throughout the remainder of 1776, sought to
stabilize the new State, select the first Governor, address the ongoing
Revolution, and chart a path towards a prosperous future in New Jersey; and
Whereas,
The foundations laid by members of the first Legislature 250 years ago, and all
those elected officials and public servants who came after, have given rise to
one of the strongest, most diverse, and well-educated states in the United
States; and
Whereas,
This success can, in large part, be attributed to the presence of premier
educational institutions, such as Princeton University, and their close and
continuing relationship with the State; and
Whereas,
Princeton University, in particular, has been an instrumental partner, from the
first meeting of the General Assembly held at Princeton in 1776 to 21st century
projects like the New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Hub; and
Whereas,
As a national model for excellence in education and innovation, Princeton
brings both investment and acclaim to New Jersey, creating countless
opportunities for the citizens of this great State, and molding leaders of the
past, present, and future; and
Whereas,
Thousands of Princeton alumni have gone on to serve in various roles across
State and local government, including the State Legislature, and 11 have served
as Governor of this State; and
Whereas,
It has always, and will always, be in the interest of New Jerseyans for the
State and its partner institutions to cultivate the world�s brightest minds and
most dedicated public servants right here at home; and
Whereas,
By returning to Princeton, where our collective history began two and a half
centuries ago, we may reflect upon the past and reaffirm our commitment to
ensuring liberty and prosperity in the State of New Jersey for the next 250
years; and
Whereas,
It is fitting and proper that the General Assembly marks the 250th anniversary
of the first meeting of the State Legislature by the holding of a special
commemorative session on the Princeton University campus on February 5, 2026;
now, therefore,
���� Be It
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State
of New Jersey:
���� 1.��� The General Assembly
shall hold a special commemorative session at Nassau Hall on the campus of
Princeton University in Princeton, Mercer County, on February 5, 2026.� The
Speaker of the General Assembly, or the Speaker�s designee, shall be authorized
to undertake such arrangements as may be necessary to facilitate this special
commemorative session.
���� 2.��� Copies
of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted
by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of Princeton University.
STATEMENT
���� This Assembly resolution
provides for the General Assembly to hold a special commemorative session at
Nassau Hall on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, Mercer County,
on February 5, 2026.
���� The first meeting of the General
Assembly was held in Princeton, New Jersey, at Nassau Hall at Princeton
University in August 1776.� Throughout the session, the Legislature sought to
stabilize the new State, select the first Governor, address the ongoing
Revolution, and chart a path towards a prosperous future in New Jersey.
���� The foundations laid by
members of the first Legislature 250 years ago, and all those elected officials
and public servants who came after, have given rise to one of the strongest,
most diverse, and well-educated states in the United States.
���� The success and prosperity of
this State may also be attributed to the presence of premier educational
institutions, such as Princeton University, and their close and continuing
relationship with the State.� Princeton University, in particular, has been an
instrumental partner, from the first meeting of the General Assembly held at
Princeton in 1776 to 21st century projects like the New Jersey Artificial
Intelligence Hub.� As a national model for excellence in education and
innovation, Princeton brings both investment and acclaim to New Jersey,
creating countless opportunities for the citizens of this great State, and
molding leaders of the past, present, and future.�
���� Thousands of Princeton alumni
have gone on to serve in various roles across State and local government,
including the State Legislature, and 11 have served as Governor of this State.�
Further, it has always, and will always, be in the interest of New Jerseyans
for the State and its partner institutions to cultivate the world�s brightest
minds and most dedicated public servants right here at home.
���� By returning to Princeton, the
place where our collective history began two and a half centuries ago, we may
reflect upon the past and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring liberty and
prosperity in the State of New Jersey for the next 250 years.� It is fitting
and proper that the General Assembly recognize the importance of the long and
storied relationship between Princeton University and the State of New Jersey,
which began with the first meeting of the General Assembly at Princeton 250
years ago.�