Lawmakers propose making battleship New Jersey official state ship

[TexasTowelie]

CAMDEN - The retired battleship New Jersey, the nation's most decorated Navy battleship, is a step closer to being named the state's official ship.

Legislation designating the USS New Jersey as the New Jersey State Ship cleared the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee Monday by a 5-0 vote. The bill heads to the state Senate for a final floor vote.

An identical Assembly bill passed in December and was merged with the Senate bill.

“The USS New Jersey is a true symbol of our state, and this designation is more than fitting,” said Sen. Nilsa Cruz Perez, D-Camden, who co-sponsored the bill with Sen. James Beach, also D-Camden.

Read more: http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2017/05/09/lawmakers-propose-making-battleship-new-jersey-official-state-ship/314559001/

[Docreed2003]

1. As a Navy vet and a fiend for WWII naval history....

I have a confession to make. I had the privilege of touring the USS NJ a few weeks after I came home from Afghanistan. The tour is amazing...I can't recommend it enough! That being said, I toured the Battleship at the end of the day, and, while no one was around, I sat in the seat of "Bull Halsey" and I imagined myself in his role. That was way beyond the scope of an appropriate tour, but it speaks to the importance of the ship. Here's hoping that they can preserve this treasure!!!