Jan 22, 2007 11:20 am US/Eastern
Corzine Vetoing Bill On Veterans' Memorials
TRENTON (CBS/AP) ―
Declaring it was important to ensure "our kids understand the sacrifices people have made," Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Monday vowed to veto parts of a bill that would abolish requirements New Jersey schools teach about Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Corzine said he will conditionally veto the bill that unanimously passed the Legislature in December.
The bill would abolish a state law requiring schools teach about the two veterans commemorations, along with other holidays. The proposals were part of a measure intended to help control property taxes by eliminating costly state requirements.
A conditional veto allows the governor to object to parts of a bill and propose amendments that would make it acceptable. If the Legislature re-approves the bill with the governor's recommendations, it can be presented again to the governor for his signature.
Corzine spokesman Anthony Coley said the governor could issue his conditional veto as early as Monday.
Corzine, taking calls on New Jersey 101.5 FM radio, said a conditional veto was especially appropriate "when our men and women are putting their lives in harm's way."
"I think actually that sometimes in the enthusiasm to do things, that we sometimes trample on fundamental principles and concerns," Corzine said.
The bill had angered veterans, who argued that children should be required to hear about the sacrifices and experiences of veterans.
"We're very pleased that he's feeling the way he is," said Ray Zawacki, a Vietnam War Navy veteran and department adjutant for the American Legion of New Jersey. "Apparently he's listening to his veterans' constituency and shares our concerns."
Other holidays about which schools no longer would be required to teach include Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Arbor Day and Commodore Barry Day, which commemorates Revolutionary War hero John Barry.
But Coley said Veterans Day and Memorial Day are Corzine's primary concerns.
"We're glad," said Al Bucci, New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars legislative director. "We're happy. Once you take away the mandated teaching, eventually it won't be taught."
Bill sponsor Sen. John Adler, D-Camden, and a bill supporter, the New Jersey School Boards Association, have said the bill wasn't meant to slight veterans, but to give schools more flexibility to decide holiday celebrations and curriculum.
Republicans had vowed a push to maintain the requirements, which called for teaching about veterans on the last school day before the holidays.
"We run the risk of having future generations take for granted the freedoms all of our veterans have secured for them," said Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose, R-Sussex, whose husband is a New Jersey Army National Guardsman who has been deployed to Guantanamo Bay. "As a military wife, I know the sacrifices of veterans and their families have been far too great and many to leave this to chance."
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
