New Jersey SJR71: Orange Heart Medal-recognize in NJ

What the bill says

A Joint Resolution recognizing the Orange Heart Medal in New Jersey.

From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:

A Joint Resolution recognizing the Orange Heart Medal in New Jersey. Whereas, The citizens of the United States have, throughout the years, chosen to serve this great nation, risking their lives and leaving their loved ones behind to honorably safeguard the freedoms and liberties guaranteed to all Americans and protect against those who threaten our way of life; and Whereas, More than eight million citizens of this country honorably served during the Vietnam War, where Agent Orange was widely used by the United States Armed Forces as part of the herbicidal warfare program Operation Ranch Hand from 1961 until 1971; and Whereas, Nearly 20 million gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed over the land from helicopters or low-flying aircraft, destroying vegetation and crops in order to deprive enemy guerrillas of food and cover for their activities and, in turn, exposing 2.6 million American soldiers to the herbicide and defoliant chemical; and Whereas, Agent Orange is a dioxin and cancer-causing chemical that enters the body through physical contact or ingestion and moves into the human cell nucleus where it attacks the genes and causes a number of serious illnesses, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, ischemic heart disease, soft tissue sarcoma, amyloidosis, diabetes, and cancers of the throat, prostate, lung, and colon; and Whereas, Agent Orange also causes genetic damage, and in some …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Michael L. Testa, Jr. (R, 1) · primary sponsor
• Raj Mukherji (D, 32) · primary sponsor
• Carmen F. Amato, Jr. (R, 9)
• Linda R. Greenstein (D, 14)

Latest actions

1. June 18, 2026: R/A REF AMV
2. June 18, 2026: PS (40-0)
3. May 21, 2026: REP 2RS
4. January 28, 2026: INT 1RS REF SMV

Votes

• 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Orange Heart Medal-recognize in NJ (June 18, 2026): 40 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee: Reported favorably (May 21, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SJR71?

SJR71 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Orange Heart Medal-recognize in NJ.

What does SJR71 do?

In its own words: A Joint Resolution recognizing the Orange Heart Medal in New Jersey.

What is the status of SJR71?

Passed one chamber as of June 18, 2026. Latest action: R/A REF AMV (June 18, 2026).

Who sponsored SJR71?

Michael L. Testa, Jr. (R, 1), with 3 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SJR71?

On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/SJR71