Section 52:11-5a - Findings, declarations relative to plaques honoring Senator Hutchins F. Inge and Assemblyman Walter Gilbert Alexander The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. In 1966, Dr. Hutchins F. Inge of Newark became the first African-American to serve in the New Jersey State Senate and in 1921, Dr. Walter Gilbert Alexander of Orange became the first African-American to serve in the New Jersey General Assembly;b. At the time Senator Inge took office, he had already established himself as a distinguished citizen of our State, having graduated from both the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Howard University School of Medicine and serving on the staff of Presbyterian Hospital;c. Senator Inge had also served his community with distinction, as a director of the Essex Urban League and the New Jersey Association for Retarded Children, and as a staff physician for the Newark Board of Health's Division of Child Hygiene;d. During Senator Inge's tenure in the Senate, he served as the chairman of the Senate Federal and Interstate Relations Committee, and was a supporter of measures to aid education, transportation, and housing;e. Walter Gilbert Alexander was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on December 3, 1880, and was the son of former slaves;f. At the age of fourteen, he entered Lincoln University as the youngest student in his class and the youngest student that had ever matriculated at that university;g. Walter Gilbert Alexander graduated from Lincoln University magna cum laude in 1899, having won the Bradley Medal in natural science and being honored as the Latin Salutatorian of his class;h. After graduation, he entered the Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons, and graduated in June 1903 after winning first prize for his thesis;i. A distinguished physician, he served as General Secretary and later President of the National Medical Association;j. During Assemblyman Alexander's tenure in the Assembly, he served on committees concerning epileptics and public health, and sponsored legislation addressing civil rights and health care;k. In March 1921, Assemblyman Alexander was honored by his fellow lawmakers who asked him to preside over the Assembly for thirty minutes, while a laudatory resolution commending him on his legislative service was read;l. It is fitting and proper that this State honor Senator Hutchins F. Inge and Assemblyman Walter Gilbert Alexander by placing plaques in the State House to commemorate their tenure as members of the New Jersey Legislature.Added by L. 2007, c. 64,s. 1, eff. 4/4/2007.