N.J. Admin. Code § Executive Order No. 224 (2021)
Governor Philip D. Murphy
Executive Order No. 224 (2021)
A Tribute to the Life and Passing of Senator Gerald Cardinale
Issued: February 21, 2021.
Effective: February 21, 2021.
WHEREAS, Senator Gerald Cardinale was a dedicated public servant who tirelessly served the people of New Jersey for many years; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale was a long-time resident of Demarest, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale received a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John's University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the New York University College of Dentistry; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale's career in public service began in 1967, when he served as a Member of the Demarest Board of Education until 1973 and as the President of the Board from 1969 to 1971, and then as the Mayor of Demarest from 1975 to 1979; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale served the 39th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1980 to 1982; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale was elected to represent the 39th Legislative District in the New Jersey State Senate in 1981, where he would serve for over 39 years; and
WHEREAS, during his time in the Senate, Senator Cardinale served as Minority Whip from 1985 to 1987, Assistant Minority Leader from 1987 to 1989, Majority Whip from 1992 to 1994, and Deputy Majority Leader from 1994 to 2002; and
WHEREAS, during his time in the Legislature, Senator Cardinale served on the Commerce Committee, Judiciary Committee, and State House Commission; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale was a prime sponsor of many important laws during his career in the Senate, including Megan's Law, Joan's Law, and a number of casino reform bills in the aftermath of the ABSCAM scandal; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale is the second longest-serving State legislator, and the longest-serving Republican legislator, in New Jersey history; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale contributed to a number of important causes throughout his career, including as co-founder of the Bergen County Task Force on Sexual Abuse of Children and as a former trustee of the Regional Mental Health Center in Dumont, where he established a program to support elderly individuals; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale worked tirelessly throughout his 54-year career in public service to advocate for reforms impacting women and children; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale also served the community of Fort Lee as a dentist for over 60 years; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cardinale's presence will be sorely missed by his family, his friends, his colleagues, and by the people of New Jersey whom he served so well; and
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness that we mourn the passing of Senator Cardinale and extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, former Demarest Councilwoman Carole Cardinale, his five children, his grandchildren, and his friends and colleagues; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the exemplary character, outstanding achievements, and cherished memory of Senator Cardinale, and to mark his passing;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, 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:
N.J. Admin. Code Executive Order No. 224 (2021)