N.J. Admin. Code § Executive Order No. 268 (2021)
Governor Philip D. Murphy
Executive Order No. 268 (2021)
An Order that Flags Fly at Half-Staff in Honor of Assemblyman George Richardson
Issued: October 14, 2021.
Effective: October 14, 2021.
WHEREAS, George Richardson was born in Newark on February 19, 1931, and was a fierce advocate for civil rights, a community leader, and a dedicated assemblyman in the New Jersey Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Richardson began his career in public service in the 1960s, playing an instrumental role in the civil rights movement in Newark and advocating for increased representation of Black residents in State and county offices; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Richardson won election to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1961 at just 30 years old, becoming the only Black member of the New Jersey Legislature, and would ultimately serve four terms as an Assemblyman; and
WHEREAS, in 1963, Assemblyman Richardson coordinated large-scale demonstrations against hiring discrimination and formed a coalition of civil rights, religious, and labor organizations known as the Newark Coordinating Council to fight for racial equality in hiring; and
WHEREAS, during his service in the Legislature, Assemblyman Richardson supported and sponsored several bills aimed at dismantling segregation, including bills curbing segregated housing and creating a commission to study segregation in public schools; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Richardson continued his civic engagement long after his retirement from the New Jersey General Assembly, supporting an Urban Peace Corps aimed at reducing substance abuse and promoting job-training programs, heading the Newark-based National Committee for Sane Drug Policy, and co-founding with his wife a public relations agency dedicated to promoting the political and musical works of Black Americans; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Richardson was appointed by Allard K. Lowenstein, the United States representative to the United Nations for special political affairs, as director of a special committee to develop an international narcotics policy for the U.S. mission to the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, our State mourns the loss of Assemblyman Richardson, who passed away on September 24, 2021, and extends heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the exemplary character, outstanding achievements, and cherished memory of Assemblyman Richardson 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. 268 (2021)