New Jersey Professor's Passionate Plea: Make 'Born to Run' the State Song
'Born to Run' Could Be New Jersey's Official Song
New Jersey, the Garden State, has been without an official state song for years, but one professor is determined to change that. Dr. Rich Lee, a journalism professor at St. Bonaventure University, is making a renewed push to establish 'Born to Run' as New Jersey's official song. This choice might seem controversial to some, but Lee has a compelling argument.
A Journalist's Journey to Professor
Lee's journey began as a young journalist in the 1980s, covering rock and roll in New Jersey. It was during this time that he first made his case for a state song. In 1980, he published an op-ed in The New York Times titled 'In Support of a Proposal for a State Anthem'. In it, he argued that the moment when disc jockey Carol Miller introduced 'Born to Run' as the 'New Jersey state anthem' on WPLJ-FM was the first domino in a potential movement.
A Movement Gaining Momentum
The NJ Council on the Arts was already considering a state anthem at the time, and Miller's on-air declaration sparked a wave of support. Assemblyman Richard F. Visotcky of Garfield even introduced a bill to designate 'Born to Run' as the official New Jersey anthem. Over 40 years later, Lee believes the case is stronger than ever.
Extensive Research and Interviews
To support his presentation, Lee conducted extensive research on state anthems and interviewed key figures from the movement, including Carol Miller and Assemblyman Visotcky's son, Robert, who is credited with convincing his father to introduce the legislation. The findings will be presented at the Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture conference in Philadelphia on Friday at 1:45 p.m.
Will the Legislature Listen?
The question remains: will the New Jersey legislature listen to Lee's case? With his help, New Jersey may finally adopt a song that represents its identity and culture. 'Sprung from cages out on Highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected and steppin’ out over the line' could soon become etched into official state lore.
Do You Support the Effort?
What do you think? Do you support the effort to make 'Born to Run' New Jersey's official song? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let's discuss this controversial topic!
