Designates August 18 of each year as "Thyson T. Halley Day" in New Jersey.

SJR151

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 151

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED JUNE 15, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates August 18 of each year as �Thyson T.
Halley Day� in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution

designating August 18 of
each year as �Thyson T. Halley Day� in New Jersey.

Whereas,

Thyson T. Halley was born on August 18, 1981 in Jersey City to the late Aaron
and Patricia Holliday-Halley; and

Whereas,

Diagnosed with spinal meningitis, Mr. Halley faced a bleak future.� Doctors
told his family that he would be unable to speak, walk or do anything; and

Whereas,

However, after recovering from this devastating diagnosis, Mr. Halley was able
to overcome his personal obstacles, learning sign language when he was
two-years old, and dedicating his life to the deaf community; and

Whereas,

Educated in the Jersey City public schools for the deaf, Mr. Halley continued
his studies at Camden County College and Temple University and went on to
become a certified deaf interpreter and sign language specialist, providing
linguistic education throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland; and

Whereas,

A dedicated advocate, Mr. Halley worked closely with children on the autism
spectrum, served as the Vice-President of the New Jersey Black Deaf Advocates,
founded the Association for Deaf Ministry and Sign Language Ministry, and in
his civic life, served on the Ethics Standards Board of New Jersey; and

Whereas,

Mr. Halley led deaf ministries throughout Newark and Jersey City and was the
founder of His Hands Deaf, a signing language and interpreter ministry at
Chosen Generation Ministry in Newark,

where
he was ordained and served as the Pastor to the Deaf.� Known for his vivid,
bilingual preaching, Elder Halley sought to make the Word accessible to both
Deaf and hearing congregants; and

Whereas,

Mr. Halley also worked with Project Reconnect Program, a youth and family
support initiative in New Jersey that helps justice-involved youth reintegrate
into their communities after juvenile justice involvement, and through his
advocacy and leadership, assisted with taking more than 1,500 underprivileged
youth and parents to Disney World; and

Whereas,

Mr. Halley interpreted at political inaugurations throughout New Jersey and
served as a sign language interpreter for Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Jersey
City Mayor Steven M. Folop; and

Whereas,

In 2017, Mr. Halley hosted �Sign with Cops and First Responders,� a training
initiative supported by county law enforcement that introduced First Responders
to Deaf culture and fundamental American Sign Language (ASL).� He also supported
legislative efforts to strengthen ASL skills among law enforcement and first
responders; and

Whereas,

Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Halley had the privilege of interpreting for former
Vice President Kamala Harris, Queen Latifah, Shaquille O'Neal, Snoop Dog,
Pitbull, Fat Joe, and many more.� In 2024 he was recognized as an Apple
Ambassador for the Deaf community and featured in an Apple commercial; and

Whereas,

Mr. Halley�s leadership and service were recognized with numerous honors,
including the United States Congressional Award presented by Congressman Donald
Payne Jr., and his appointments to the Board of Commissioners of the ADA
Compliance Task Force of the Newark Museum of Art and the Board of
Commissioners of the Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center in Newark; and

Whereas,

Guided by his motto, �Even with my deafness, I still have a purpose to serve
the People,� Thyson T. Halley was a powerful voice for accessibility,
inclusion, and Deaf rights.� He leaves a legacy of unwavering commitment,
compassion, and advocacy for the Deaf community and all who needed his voice
and his hands; and

Whereas,

Therefore, it is fitting and proper to designate August 18 of each year as �Thyson
T. Halley

Day� in order to celebrate
his life and work; now, therefore,

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

���� 1.� August 18 of each year is
designated as �Thyson T. Halley Day� in New Jersey in order to celebrate the
life and work of a man who was a powerful voice for accessibility, inclusion,
and Deaf rights and who leaves a legacy of unwavering commitment, compassion,
and advocacy for the Deaf community and all who needed his voice and his hands.

���� 2.� The Governor may annually
issue a proclamation recognizing August 18 as �Thyson T. Halley Day� and call
upon public officials and residents of the State of New Jersey to observe the
day with appropriate activities and programs.

���� 3. �This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates August 18 of each year as �Thyson T. Halley Day� in New Jersey.

���� Thyson T. Halley was born on
August 18, 1981 in Jersey City to the late Aaron and Patricia Holliday-Halley.�
Diagnosed with spinal meningitis, Mr. Halley was able to overcome his personal
obstacles, learning sign language when he was two-years old, and dedicating his
life to the Deaf community.

���� Educated in the Jersey City
public schools for the deaf, Mr. Halley continued his studies at Camden County
College and Temple University, becoming a certified deaf interpreter and sign
language specialist.� He also led Deaf ministries throughout Newark and Jersey
City, was the founder of His Hands Deaf, a signing language and interpreter
ministry at Chosen Generation Ministry in Newark, where he was ordained and
served as the Pastor of the Deaf, and worked with Project Reconnect Program, a Statewide
youth and family support initiative.

���� Throughout his lifetime, Mr.
Halley interpreted at political inaugurations throughout New Jersey, was
recognized as an Apple Ambassador for the Deaf community, and received numerous
honors for his leadership and service, including the United States
Congressional Award.

���� Therefore, it is fitting and
proper to designate August 18 of each year as �Thyson T. Halley Day� in order to
celebrate the life and work of a man who was a powerful voice for
accessibility, inclusion, and Deaf rights and leaves a legacy of unwavering
commitment, compassion, and advocacy for the Deaf community and all who needed
his voice and his hands.