ESSEX COUNTY FREEHOLDER BRENDAN W.

GILL
HALL OF RECORDS 465 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., BLVD. ROOM 554 NEWARK, NJ 07102
Email: BGILL@FREEHOLDERS.ESSEXCOUNTYNJ.ORG

For Immediate Release Friday, February 15, 2013 Contact -- Office of Freeholder Brendan Gill: (973) 621-6457 Babatunde Odubekun: (862) 902-3946

STATEMENT FROM ESSEX COUNTY FREEHOLDER BRENDAN GILL ON U.S. SENATOR FRANK R. LAUTENBERGS ANNOUNCEMENT
Today I was proud to stand with Senator Lautenberg as he announced that he would not seek reelection at the conclusion of his current term. In 2008, I had the opportunity to manage Senator Lautenbergs successful campaign, making him the longest serving U.S. Senator in New Jersey history. When I took that position as campaign manager, what I didnt know was that it would lead to a 6-year journey in New Jersey public life working in various capacities for the Senator. Senator Lautenberg is more than just a fighter; he genuinely cares about the well-being of all Americans. He is amongst the greatest generation of Americans, who has directed some of the greatest public policy achievements in history, including: Creating the domestic violence gun ban that has denied guns to domestic abusers more than 200,000 times; Writing the law to ban smoking on airplanes; Raising the legal drinking age across the country to 21 years old and establishing a .08 blood alcohol level as the minimum threshold for drunk driving; and Through these measures, targeting the areas of transportation, public health, and the environment, Senator Lautenberg helped to protect the lives of millions of Americans over the course of his career. Although some people might not have agreed with him on every policy, I think we can all agree that there is no better example of a dedicated public servant. With the announcement that he will not seek reelection, Senator Lautenberg leaves in his wake an incredible track record of accomplishments not only in the United States Senate, but also in the business and philanthropic worlds. My personal connection to the senator aside, the Senate will certainly be at a loss with his departure. That legislative body and New Jersey are better for his years of service to America, and for that, I am deeply grateful. Today, Senator Lautenberg outlined his priorities for the next two years, and there is plenty of work to be done. Im looking forward to helping the Senator finish the work hes dedicated his career to.
Brendan Gill represents the municipalities of Bloomfield, Belleville, Glen Ridge, Nutley, and Montclair on the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. He also serves as State Director for U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Chairman of the Montclair Democratic Party. For more information, visit BrendanWGill.com or essex-countynj.org/freeholders ###