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Assembly Approves Wisniewski Measure to Allow Voluntary Contributions to Rutgers Oral History Archives on NJ Income Tax Returns

SAYREVILLE, NJ — Legislation sponsored by Deputy Speaker John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) to allow New Jersey income taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the Rutgers Oral History Archives on their state income tax returns passed the Assembly today.

“The Rutgers Oral History is an invaluable source of information about the experiences of New Jersey’s veterans and of the burdens faced by the families they left at home,” said Assemblyman Wisniewski. “This bill will raise awareness about the archives and help preserve the first-hand experiences and stories of these people who have witnessed and helped shape our history.”

The Rutgers Oral History Archives is a repository for personal narratives from men and women who are New Jersey residents and/or Rutgers University alumni, faculty or staff. The archives focus on their personal experiences on the home front and overseas during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and the nation’s most recent conflicts. The archives also records stories about New Jersey’s history and the history of Rutgers University.

The Web-based archive was established in 1996 as one of the first oral history programs on the Internet. The site currently features over 28,000 pages of fully transcribed, text-searchable material and over 685 oral history transcripts, holdings which earned it the prestigious ranking of #15 in the world by Oral History Online.

Wisniewski’s bill, A3955, was introduces in March of this year. It now moves on to consideration by the New Jersey State Senate.