Urges Congress to issue Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, or similar recognition, to United States troops who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992.
Summary
Assembly Resolution 66 is a memorializing resolution that urges the United States Congress to authorize an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, or a comparable form of recognition, for U.S. troops who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. The resolution states that U.S. forces were present in Honduras during that period for training, combat support, military exercises, and civil action, and that their service involved hostile fire, imminent danger, and in some cases death or injury from terrorist activity and hazardous conditions.
The resolution is based on the view that service members who operated in hostile environments should receive appropriate recognition for their sacrifices. It does not create a new state program or benefit; instead, it expresses the New Jersey General Assembly’s support for federal action and directs that copies be sent to congressional leaders and New Jersey’s congressional delegation.
Impact
AR66 would not directly change New Jersey statutes or create state-level benefits, penalties, or administrative duties. Its legal effect is limited to a formal legislative appeal to Congress, seeking federal recognition for a specific group of veterans. The practical impact is symbolic and advocacy-oriented, aimed at influencing federal medal policy and honoring service members who served in Honduras during the specified period.
Sentiment
The available text shows strongly supportive sentiment toward the resolution. The bill’s sponsors frame it as a matter of fairness, respect, and earned entitlement for service members, and the resolution emphasizes sacrifice, hostile conditions, and recognition of military service. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes indicating opposition, amendment, or controversy in the provided materials.
Contention
No explicit opposition is documented in the provided record. The only potential point of contention is the underlying federal recognition question: whether service in Honduras from 1981 to 1992 meets the criteria for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or similar award. The resolution asserts that troops faced hostile fire, imminent danger, and casualties, but any final decision would rest with Congress and the federal military awards process rather than the state legislature.
Carry Over
Urges Congress to issue Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, or similar recognition, to United States troops who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992.