TRENTON, NJ – A new bill that grants recognition to members of the U.S. Coast Guard through a specialized license plate has been passed by the New Jersey Assembly. The legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Erik Simonsen (R-Cape May), was approved on Friday and aims to honor both active and honorably separated Coast Guard personnel, along with their spouses and parents.
Assemblyman Simonsen highlighted that every Coast Guard member has been a resident of New Jersey at some point, given Cape May’s status as the location of the only U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in the country. He emphasized the profound impact the Coast Guard has on the county’s schools, communities, and cultural life. “This license plate is a token of our gratitude for their service to this nation, our shores, and waterways,” said Simonsen.
Cape May not only plays a crucial role as the training ground for all enlisted members of the Coast Guard, but it also welcomes over 4,000 new recruits annually. The bill’s passage allows New Jersey to officially acknowledge the significant contributions of the Coast Guard to both state and national security.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, which already offers nearly 100 different dedicated and specialty plates, will add the Coast Guard plate to its roster. This move further supports various causes and recognizes military service and first responders across the state.