New Jersey Legislature holds commemorative session at Princeton; unanimous passage of ceremonial resolutions

PRINCETON, N.J. — The New Jersey Legislature convened a special commemorative session at Nassau Hall, Princeton University, on Feb. 5 to mark the 250th anniversary of the first meeting of the state legislature and to recognize the state’s role in the American Revolution.

Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber welcomed lawmakers to the historic chamber, saying the gathering was “a return home” to the place where New Jersey’s earliest legislatures met and helped shape the nation. Eisgruber described Princeton’s evolution into a research university and said the university looks forward to partnering with the state on “shared priorities in the years and decades to come.”

United Kingdom Consul General Oliver Christian highlighted transatlantic ties, saying “Over 39,000 New Jerseyans are employed by British companies” and noting recent U.K. investments in joint research with Princeton. Christian cited more than "£130,000,000" in U.K. research and innovation funding supporting collaborative projects, and framed the anniversary as an opportunity to renew cultural and economic partnerships.

Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, who also spoke about the state’s semiquincentennial program Revolution NJ, introduced Joseph Kled, executive director of the New Jersey State Archives, and Sarah Cureton, executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. Kled spoke about archival holdings and upcoming exhibits; Cureton described traveling exhibits, school programs and public events and directed viewers to revnj.org for details.

Votes at a glance: The Assembly adopted a special-session resolution (Assembly Resolution AR250) to hold a commemorative session at Princeton on Feb. 5, 2026. The clerk reported a roll-call result of 67 in the affirmative and 0 in the negative; the Speaker declared the resolution passed. A series of additional ceremonial resolutions — including measures recognizing Princeton’s 280th founding anniversary, honoring the New Jersey National Guard, recognizing the history and service of USS New Jersey and celebrating Princeton’s role in the American Revolution — were read and adopted by voice vote or unanimous consent.

Representatives of the Battleship New Jersey — including Captain Steve Hawley and Julianna Dodds, deputy executive director of the Battleship New Jersey museum — received a resolution honoring the ship’s history; Hawley described the museum’s role in preserving naval heritage and noted the recent commissioning of a Virginia-class submarine that also carries the name USS New Jersey.

The session was largely ceremonial and focused on historical recognition, public programming and institutional partnerships; no policy or budget measures requiring further legislative action were taken during the commemorative proceedings. The Speaker thanked guests and lawmakers for attending and closed the session with a motion to reconvene in the room in the year 2276 as a ceremonial gesture.

Copies of several resolutions were directed to be transmitted to appropriate officials and institutions, including the Secretary of State, the U.S. Navy, the Battleship New Jersey museum and local historical organizations. The semiquincentennial program Revolution NJ was presented as an ongoing, multi-year statewide series of exhibits and events.

— Reporting by the New Jersey Assembly’s commemorative session coverage team.