Designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day".

SJR79

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 79

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� JAMES W. HOLZAPFEL

District 10 (Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates October 1 of each year as �New Jersey
Diner Day�.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating October 1 of each
year as �New Jersey Diner Day�.

Whereas,

New Jersey is known as the �Diner Capital of the World�; and

Whereas,

The history of diners in New Jersey started during the rise of the automobile
in the 1910s and 1920s; and

Whereas,

Jerry O�Mahony (born on October 1) and his brother, whose family owned a tavern
in Bayonne, New Jersey, owned several horse drawn lunch wagons that operated
throughout Hudson County, New Jersey; and

Whereas,

Realizing that there could be an industry in building the food wagons
themselves, the O�Mahony brothers hired a carpenter to build a food wagon and
sold it to a Jersey City restaurant entrepreneur for $800; and

Whereas,

In the decades that followed, nearly all of the major United States diner
builders, including Jerry O�Mahony Inc., began operating in New Jersey; and

Whereas,

These companies produced the factory-built, stainless-steel eateries that often
resembled shiny railroad cars and were examples of Streamline Moderne
architecture, a concept emphasizing sleek lines and aerodynamic forms; and

Whereas,

Due to New Jersey�s location between Philadelphia and New York City, New Jersey
built highly developed transportation systems and road networks for commuters
traveling between the two metropolitan hubs; and

Whereas,

As busy commuters traveled through New Jersey, the State�s 24-hour diners
became destinations to eat and rest; and

Whereas,

Travelers and local residents alike sought out these diners for an affordable,
convenient meal, and many working class and middle class residents of New
Jersey found diners offered an affordable meal for the entire family; and

Whereas,

New Jersey is home to approximately 525 diners, the largest number of diners in
any state; and

Whereas,

Diners play an important role in New Jersey�s economy and culture and should be
celebrated; now, therefore,

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

���� 1.��� October 1 of each year
is designated as �New Jersey Diner Day�.

���� 2.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials,
private organizations,

and all citizens of this State to
observe �New Jersey Diner Day� with appropriate awareness activities and
programs.

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

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates October 1 of each year as �New Jersey Diner Day�.

���� New Jersey is known as the
�Diner Capital of the World�. The history of diners in New Jersey started
during the automobile industry�s rise in the 1910s and 1920s wherein New Jersey
diners began as portable wooden food wagons. Jerry O�Mahony and his brother of
Bayonne, New Jersey, owned several lunch wagons that operated throughout
Hudson, County, New Jersey. The O�Mahony brothers hired a carpenter to build
their own food wagon and sold it to a restaurant entrepreneur. In the decades
that followed, nearly all of the major United States diner builders, including
Jerry O�Mahony Inc., started operating in New Jersey. Due to New Jersey�s
location between Philadelphia and New York City, New Jersey built highly
developed transportation systems and road networks for commuters traveling
between the two metropolitan hubs. As busy commuters traveled between these
three states, New Jersey�s 24-hour diners became destinations to eat and rest.
Travelers and locals alike sought out these diners for an affordable, convenient
meal. New Jersey is home to approximately 525 diners, the most diners in any
state. Diners play an important role in New Jersey�s economy and culture and
should be celebrated.