To: The newest members of the New Jersey Senate and New Jersey General Assembly:
John Allen, Carmen Amato, John Azzariti, Rosy Bagolie, Dave Bailey, Jr., Al Barlas, John Burzichelli, Alixon Collazos-Gill, Margie Donlon, Mitchelle Drulis, Kevin Egan, Dawn Fantasia, Garnet Hall, Owen Henry, Dan Hutchinson, Mike Inganamort, Paul Kanitra, Andrea Katz, Julio Marenco, Barbara McCann Stamato, Tennille McCoy, John McKeon, Angela McKnight, Cody Miller, Carmen Morales, Paul Moriarty, Raj Mukerji, Greg Myhre, Luanne Peterpaul, Jessica Ramirez, Gabriel Rodriguez, Avi Schnall, Heather Simmons, Parker Space, Britnee Timberlake, Latham Tiver, Michael Venezia
Congratulations!
On behalf of the 25,000 LIUNA members living and working in New Jersey, I salute you–the newest members of the 221st New Jersey Legislature. I thank you for your commitment to public service and offer you best wishes as you begin your term.
For many of you, public service began many years before this moment–as community volunteers, school board members, maybe as municipal or county officials. As you now reach a position that only 120 people (out of 9.2 million) can fulfill at any one time, it probably feels good to reach such lofty political heights. That said, for all of the exclusivity of membership in the General Assembly or Senate, there are 9.2 million people in our state who are counting on you for leadership, for solutions, for a path to a more prosperous New Jersey. Today we celebrate your swearing-in and for the 731 days to follow I hope you will always remember the folks who really matter–the people who chose to live here, work here, and establish a business here. They, no, WE need your leadership and commitment.
You may notice that in addressing this message, I did not organize the recipients by political party or chamber. I did that because we are all in this together, all of us. Neither titles nor political parties matter much when there are issues to be addressed, problems to be solved, and opportunities to be created. You can do this, and if you are willing, you will have a steady and reliable partner in the Laborers’ International Union of North America. I wish you well and invite you to join us in creating a better New Jersey for all.
Very Respectfully,
Michael E. Hellstrom
Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager