New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey SJR159: Dr. James Still Day-designates April 9
Status: In committee, October 1, 2026
Designates April 9th of each year as Dr. James Still Day in New Jersey.
What the bill says
A Joint Resolution designating April 9th of each year as Dr. James Still Day in New Jersey.
From the introduced text, October 1, 2026:
A Joint Resolution designating April 9th of each year as Dr. James Still Day in New Jersey. Whereas, Dr. James Still, a renowned African-American herbalist and homeopathic healer, was born on April 9, 1812, in Indian Mills, New Jersey, to former slaves Levin and Charity Still; and Whereas, Born into poverty, Dr. James Still only received three months of formal education and spent a majority of his early life as a day laborer chopping wood, making charcoal, picking berries, and clearing land; and Whereas, Dr. Still had an innate passion for the field of medicine and spent many hours reading books on the subjects of medicine, botany, and herbal remedies; and Whereas, Due to Dr. Stills race and financial status, he was unable to attend medical school, but he continued to acquire medical knowledge through self-education; and Whereas, Dr. Still found success within the medical field when he created a cough balm from plants and herbs, the balm demonstrating his ingenuity and bringing him recognition and wealth as many pharmacists began buying the product; and Whereas, With the profit yielded from his innovative cough balm, Dr. Still built a home and medical office in Medford, New Jersey, where he would treat patients from throughout the region; and Whereas, Despite his widespread success within the medical field, racial animus caused many …
Sponsors
- Latham Tiver (R, 8) · primary sponsor
- Troy Singleton (D, 7) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : INT 1RS REF SSG
Subjects: COMMEMORATIONS, NEW JERSEY - HISTORY AND SYMBOLS
Common questions
- What is SJR159?
- SJR159 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Dr. James Still Day-designates April 9.
- What does SJR159 do?
- In its own words: A Joint Resolution designating April 9th of each year as Dr. James Still Day in New Jersey.
- What is the status of SJR159?
- In committee as of October 1, 2026. Latest action: INT 1RS REF SSG (October 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored SJR159?
- Latham Tiver (R, 8), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SJR159?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/SJR159
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.