SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2533

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 16, 2024

      The Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2533.

      This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $15 million from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs for the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation for the purpose of providing financial assistance to complete facilities expansion, consisting of an additional 11,850 square feet for the Vietnam Era Museum.  The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation commemorates New Jersey service members who served in Vietnam and their families through storytelling that enhances public understanding of the Vietnam War Era.

     The Foundation serves over 10,000 New Jersey students annually.  The expansion would help the Foundation obtain critical accreditation and recognition from national bodies and public audiences, acquire State-of-the-art equipment to care for museum artifacts, and deliver a premier educational experience that would attract volunteers, tourists, and revenues to the museum and the State.