Designates Browning Road Bridge in Bellmawr as "Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge."

A4886

ASSEMBLY, No. 4886

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� WILLIAM F. MOEN, JR.

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates Browning Road Bridge in Bellmawr as
�Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act

designating the Browning Road Bridge in the
Borough of Bellmawr in honor of United States Marine Corps Captain James R.
Reese.

Whereas,

James R. Reese was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps stationed at
Marine Corps Air Station Tustin in Orange County, California; and

Whereas,

On May 6, 1985, while on a tour of duty at the Marine Corps Air Station in
Futenma, Japan, Capt. Reese and 16 other Marines were killed in a helicopter
crash returning from an air show and open house at Iwakuni, another American
base; and

Whereas,

Prior to his death, Capt. Reese served as a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter
pilot in the HMH-462 �Heavy Haulers� squadron under the Marine Aircraft Group
16 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing of the Fleet Marine Forces-Pacific; and

Whereas,

Capt. Reese was born on March 24, 1958 in Bellmawr, New Jersey to parents Lloyd
and Frances Reese and was one of six brothers:� Lee, Bill, Michael, Brian, and
Thomas; and

Whereas,

From a young age, Capt. Reese had a desire to serve his country, which was
inspired by his father�s service as the Chief of the Bellmawr Park Volunteer
Fire Company and by the service of his brothers as volunteer firefighters and
members of the Bellmawr Police Department; and

Whereas,

Growing up in Bellmawr, Capt. Reese was a well-liked member of his community
who became a respected individual for his natural leadership qualities and
determined character; and

Whereas,

To honor Capt. Reese�s service to his country and his impact on the community
of Bellmawr, New Jersey, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature of the
State of New Jersey to designate the Browning Road Bridge on County Route 659
in the Borough of Bellmawr as the �Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial
Bridge�; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� The Commissioner of
Transportation shall designate the Browning Road Bridge on County Route 659 in
the Borough of Bellmawr, extending from milepost 0.8 to milepost 0.9, as the
�Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge.�

���� 2.��� State or other public
funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing
the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act.� The
Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other
financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or
reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with
producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation
established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements
related thereto with private sources, including, but not limited to,
non-government non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or
institutions.� Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the
Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a
responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing,
erecting, and maintaining the signs.

���� 3.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill designates the
Browning Road Bridge in the Borough of Bellmawr as the �Marine Corps Captain
James R. Reese Memorial Bridge� to honor the service and memory of Captain
James R. Reese, who died in a helicopter crash while on a tour of duty at the
Marine Corps Air Station in Futenma, Japan on May 6, 1985.

���� Consistent with Department of
Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State
or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting
signs bearing the designation for the �Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese
Memorial Bridge.�� The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive
financial assistance from private sources for the costs associated with
producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation.