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A state-wide resolution has been introduced in the NJ assembly
ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 189
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
211th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JUNE 21, 2004
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN
District 15 (Mercer)
Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA
District 15 (Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Chivukula
SYNOPSIS
Condemns sections of USA PATRIOT Act that may infringe upon constitutional civil rights and liberties and urges Congress to make changes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution condemning sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that may infringe upon fundamental civil rights and liberties as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and urging Congress to make appropriate changes.
Whereas, In response to the tragic and devastating events of September 11, 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania, the United States Congress adopted the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001," commonly referred to as the USA PATRIOT Act, which was intended to enable the federal government to prevent further attacks; and
Whereas, Certain sections of the USA PATRIOT Act may unduly infringe upon the public's right to privacy, right to due process, right to counsel, right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and right to basic First Amendment freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of New Jersey; and
Whereas, The prevention of further terrorist attacks is a national and State priority, however it is essential to the well being of a free and democratic society that federal, state, and local laws that protect the public from terrorist attacks do not infringe upon the public's constitutional civil rights or liberties; and
Whereas, It is appropriate for the General Assembly, which is sworn to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, to urge the United States Congress to revise or repeal those sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that may infringe upon constitutionally-protected civil rights and liberties; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly condemns sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that may infringe upon the fundamental civil rights and liberties that are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and urges the United States Congress to revise or repeal those sections.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the presiding officers of the United States Senate and House of Representatives and to each member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution condemns sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that may infringe upon the public's fundamental civil rights and liberties and urges the United States Congress to revise or repeal those sections. Certain sections of the USA PATRIOT Act, which was enacted in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, may unduly infringe upon the public's right to privacy, right to due process, right to counsel, right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and right to basic First Amendment freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of New Jersey.
The fight against terrorism is a national and State priority, however it is essential that federal, state, and local laws that protect the public from terrorist attacks do not infringe upon the public's constitutional civil rights or liberties. This house has sworn to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, therefore it is appropriate that the General Assembly urges the United States Congress to change the USA PATRIOT Act to ensure that constitutional civil rights and liberties are not unduly infringed upon.