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NJ AR61

NJ AR61
Urges recreational programs, swim schools, and swim teams to promote participation by African-American youth in swim programs.

summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

In the United States, the ability to swim is divided along racial lines. White Americans are twice as likely to know how to swim as African Americans. The origin of this disparity can be traced to the 1920s and 1930s when thousands of public swimming pools were opened across the country, creating a culture of swimming for millions of Americans. However, because of Jim Crow laws, these public pools were segregated and only a fraction of them were intended for use by African Americans. In the 1940s and 1950s, federal court decisions desegregated public spaces, including swimming pools and, as a result, white swimmers abandoned municipal pools. This led to a drop of community investment in public swimming pools. Municipalities did not invest in building new pools as they had previously, maintenance on existing pools was neglected, and eventually dilapidated pools were closed down rather than repaired. As a result, swimming did not become a significant part of the recreational culture within African American communities This resolution encourages recreational programs, swim schools, and swim teams to promote participation by African-American youth in swim programs in order to combat racial stereotypes, increase access to swimming pools for all children living in the inner cities, expand employment opportunities, and ultimately save the lives of African-American youth in the State of New Jersey.

AI Summary

This resolution urges recreational programs, swim schools, and swim teams to actively promote swimming participation among African-American youth, addressing a significant historical and ongoing racial disparity in swimming skills and access. The resolution highlights that African-American children drown at much higher rates than white children, with 11 and 12-year-old African-American children drowning ten times more frequently than their white counterparts. This disparity stems from historical segregation, including Jim Crow-era policies that limited African Americans' access to public swimming pools, which created generational barriers to swimming culture. By encouraging increased participation, the resolution aims to combat racial stereotypes, expand access to swimming pools in inner-city communities, create more employment opportunities for African-American teens (such as lifeguarding), and ultimately reduce drowning risks for African-American youth in New Jersey. The resolution also notes the stark underrepresentation of African Americans in swimming, pointing out that only about 1% of USA Swimming's 337,000 members are African American, and that out of 107 historically black colleges and universities, not one has a functioning 50-meter pool.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee (on 01/09/2024)
(1 Companion Bills)

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/AR61
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AR/61_I1.HTM
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