Lawrenceville, NJ – U.S. Senate candidate Dick Zimmer today released the following statement in response to the Monmouth University/Gannett poll:

“After 24 years in Washington Senator Lautenberg continues to remain below 50 percent among voters in the sixth consecutive survey released today.  These surveys reflect Senator Lautenberg's failure to solve critical problems facing New Jerseyeans today.

“My lead among independents is very encouraging since statewide campaigns are determined by this important group of voters.  Clearly my message of lower taxes, less spending and more personal freedom and security is resonating with this key voting bloc.

“People want change, I will provide that change in the US Senate.”

 GOVERNOR CORZINE RECEIVES BRIEFING ON ANTI-TERRORISM, HOMELAND SECURITY TECHNOLOGY DURING OFFICIAL VISIT TO ISRAEL

TEL AVIV – While on a tour of one of the most heavily bombarded cities in the Middle East, Governor Jon S. Corzine discussed critical concerns on anti-terrorism measures and how they can be applied to New Jersey’s homeland security needs during the fourth day of his official visit to Israel.

While on a conference call with New Jersey reporters Wednesday afternoon, Governor Corzine discussed his tour of the Israeli city of Sdertot – located a stone’s throw from the embattled border of Gaza. The Governor said that during the briefing, he was told that the city of 20,000 residents has averaged 1,000 missile attacks a year over the last seven years, with as many as 70 in one day.

“It shows very clearly that terrorism has a front line, and clearly it is Sderot,” Governor Corzine said. “The Israelis are under constant threat. We have a lot of work to do to combat terrorism.”

On Tuesday, Governor Corzine received a classified briefing from senior officials at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, where he reviewed new airport security procedures and protocols and the state-of-the-art technology that makes those procedures possible. Other highlights of the Governor’s itinerary include a business roundtable at the MAMTAM High Tech Center, a meeting at a desalinization plant, and an evening roundtable with companies specializing in Green Technology.

Governor Corzine concludes his official visit Thursday with sessions that include a briefing with the president of electric car developer Better Place Project and a test drive of a prototype electric car and a meeting at the Weizman Institute of Science.

Plaque mounted at site of initial outbreak of violence

Newark, NJ – July 23, 2008 – Mayor Cory A. Booker was joined today by Rutgers University History Professor Dr. Clement Price and a host of dignitaries, community leaders, and residents at a ceremony to unveil a special plaque in commemoration of the lives lost during a violent period of civil unrest in the City of Newark during the summer of 1967.

Speaking at the Fourth District Police Precinct at 10 17th Avenue – the site where the outbreak of violence began 41 years ago – Mayor Booker stood with Dr. Price to unveil the commemorative plaque, dedicating it to those whose lives were tragically lost, and vowing never to forget the tragedy and violence that threatened to devastate the City of Newark and its residents.

“Though we cannot turn back the clock, we can vow never to forget the legacy left behind by those men and women whose lives were cut tragically short during those fateful summer days,” said Mayor Booker. “We must ensure, for the sake of our young people, that the mistakes of our past yield lessons for the future, and that we continue to build our great city for all residents and future generations of Newarkers.”

“Over the forty-one years that separate us from those days, Newark as a city, Newark as a form of memory, and Newark as a community has at once sought to remember what led to the breakdown of civic order,” said Dr. Price during the event. “What must be remembered about that must be passed on to your young citizens and to others who need to be reminded of the perils of injustice, the power of memory, and the power of this place.”

The disturbances of 1967, which lasted 5 days, claimed the lives of 26 people, injured over 700 residents, and left over 160 stores throughout the city destroyed. The uprisings occurred during a period of national political, economic and racial unrest; just a week after the outbreak of violence in Newark, the city of Detroit suffered a disturbance that left neighborhoods in ruin and 43 people dead.

TRENTON – In honor of United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Jason D. Mann, Acting Governor Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Friday, July 25, 2008.

The full text of the executive order is below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 108
            WHEREAS, United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Jason D. Mann was born and raised in Woodlynne, New Jersey; and
            WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Mann graduated from Collingswood High School in Collingswood, New Jersey, and enlisted in the Marine Corps on November 3, 1997; and
            WHEREAS, he attained the rank of staff sergeant before receiving a commission as a second lieutenant; and
            WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Mann graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2005 with a degree in finance; and

            WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Mann joined the officer ranks on May 6, 2005, graduated from his Marine Corps officer’s training class with top honors, and was trained as an intelligence officer; and
             WHEREAS, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, headquartered in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and
            WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Mann’s life took new shape in the Marine Corps, where he became more athletic and outgoing, a student of Arabic, a recognized leader, and devoted to the troops in his command; and
            WHEREAS, he served in Iraq from September 2006 to May 2007; and
            WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Mann returned to the Mideast to serve a second tour of duty and died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, during a time of war; and
            WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Mann was a decorated member of this Nation’s armed forces, having been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Navy Meirtorious Unit Commendation, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; and
            WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Mann was a patriotic American and a dedicated Marine as well as a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow Marines; and
           WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Mann’s love for his family and friends, his patriotism, and dedicated service to his country and his fellow Marines make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to mourn and remember him, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;

            NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH J. ROBERTS, JR., Acting Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
                            The flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Friday, July 25, 2008, in recognition and mourning for a son of New Jersey and a brave and loyal American, United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Jason D. Mann.

                              This Order shall take effect immediately.