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September, 17, 2008
NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 30
NOMINEES FOR
SECOND CLASS OF INDUCTEES
New teaching curriculum and first satellite sites also announced
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The New Jersey Hall of Fame announced 30 nominees in five categories as the organization launched voting for the Class of 2008. These leaders and legends, from presidents to poets, in the categories of Historical, Arts & Entertainment, Sports, Enterprise and General, hail from all corners of New Jersey and share a close relationship to the state.
The second annual Hall of Fame nomination process began in early summer when a panel of experts, comprised of university professors, scientists, editors, authors and other authorities, reviewed and critiqued a list of more than 160 potential Hall of Famers. That list, compiled over the past three years, was culled to the top 125 and presented to the Voting Academy, which is the voting steering committee for the Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy is made up of approximately 100 of the state’s most prominent organizations as well as former Governors, with Governor Jon Corzine serving as honorary chair.
The Voting Academy then voted to determine the top six nominees in each category. In the Historical Category, the nominees are Grover Cleveland, Molly Pitcher, Paul Robeson, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Walt Whitman and Woodrow Wilson. In the field of Arts & Entertainment, the nominees are Abbott & Costello, Count Basie, John Bon Jovi, Jerry Lewis, Jack Nicholson and Sarah Vaughn. In Sports, the list includes Larry Doby, Althea Gibson, Carl Lewis, Shaquille O’Neal, Phil Rizzuto and Joe Theismann. In Enterprise, the nominees are Milton Friedman, Guglielmo Marconi, Mary Roebling, Carl Sagan, David Sarnoff and Wally Schirra. And in the General Category, the nominees are Justice William Brennan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Admiral William Halsey, Dorothy Parker, Philip Roth and William Carlos Williams.
"As with our first class of nominees presented in 2007, this assemblage of New Jersey Hall of Fame nominees is indeed impressive," said Bart Oates, chairman of the NJHOF Board of Commissioners. "The people of our state should be proud of these New Jerseyans and can find great role models from all walks of life."
Now through November 30, all New Jerseyans can vote on-line at the Hall of Fame website which is www.NJHallofFame.org.
In addition to announcing the start of the voting, the New Jersey Hall of Fame also introduced an interdisciplinary instructional unit, created by a panel of teachers under the leadership of the NJEA, which draws upon the Hall of Fame to teach students about New Jersey history and the voting process.
“This curriculum guide,” explained Marie Blistan, a Gloucester County teacher and co- chair of the committee that developed the unit, “can be used at all grade levels and affords teachers an excellent way to teach students about the voting process. We are looking forward to having the Hall of Fame become a staple in our classrooms.”
Although supported only by private funds, the Hall of Fame is operating under the auspices of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). The museum is overseen by a Hall of Fame Advisory Commission, led by chairman Bart Oates. The other members of the Commission include Randy Beverly, Rick Cerone, Herb Gilsenberg, Carl Goldberg, Ronnie Goldberg, Virginia Littell, John O’Brien, Judy Raines, Dennis Robinson and Cesar Shapiama.
While the Hall of Fame currently exists on the web, it was announced that several satellite museums would be opening in locations in North, Central and South Jersey. According to officials, the first to open will be a Hall of Fame display at the Izod Center in the Meadowlands, most likely to open in early 2008 and there will be a museum exhibit in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Designs for these satellite museums have been underwritten by the Edison Innovation Foundation with additional support provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“By launching these satellite museum locations in different parts of the state, we are taking the Hall of Fame to the people of New Jersey,” explained Don Jay Smith, the museum’s executive director. “Families can easily pay a visit to one of these sites not only to teach their children about New Jersey history, but also to inspire them to excel. With the high price of gas, this convenience will no doubt be appreciated.”
Both the New Jersey Education Association and the consulting and accounting firm J.H. Cohn, LLP have taken the lead in providing support in the establishment of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Other sponsors include the NJSEA, Johnson & Johnson, the New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association, Comcast, Cablevision, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Continental Airlines, and the Star-Ledger.
“The Hall of Fame relies solely on private donations,” explained Steve Edwards of the Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Trustees and Executive Producer of the annual Induction Ceremony, “so we deeply appreciate the commitment to New Jersey exhibited by these organizations. It is an investment in the future of our great state.”
The public can vote for their selections to The New Jersey Hall of Fame on-line at NJHallofFame.org. The winners will be announced in early January.
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April 28, 2008
NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME TO CELEBRATE STATE’S BEST AT INDUCTION CEREMONY ON MAY 4TH AT NJPAC
Historic Ceremony to Induct Initial Class
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Two generals, two Nobel Prize winners, the Man of the Millennium, an international rock star … a group as diverse as the state of New Jersey itself will be inducted into the first class of inductees of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. They will be feted at a gala red carpet induction ceremony on Sunday, May 4th at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Beginning with a walk on the red carpet at 4:30 PM and followed by a 5:30 official state ceremony hosted by the honorary chair Governor Jon S. Corzine, the festivities are open to the public.
Launched in the fall of 2005, the New Jersey Hall of Fame has been created to honor those who have made significant contributions to the state, the country and the world. When the museum is built, it will also provide important role models for young people. The board plans to raise funds and construct an interactive museum which will be an educational resource where visitors can learn about those who have excelled and made a difference in our lives.
This inaugural class encompasses three inductees from each of five categories: Arts & Entertainment, Enterprise, General, Historical and Sports.
The inductees include Buzz Aldrin, Clara Barton, Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Malcolm Forbes, General Robert Wood Johnson, Coach Vince Lombardi, Toni Morrison, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep and Harriet Tubman.
“We expect most if not all of our inductees to be present to receive their awards,” says Bart Oates, chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the NJHOF and former member of two New York Giants Super Bowl championship teams. “It’s an historic night and everyone has expressed his or her delight at the honor. And just as exciting, we have direct descendents representing those inductees who are deceased.”
“We hope that the Hall of Fame becomes an institution that lasts through the ages, has an immeasurably on the pride of New Jersey, honors our legends and inspires our children. That’s a mission that all of us can rally around.”
Of course, half of the inductees are very much alive and are expected to attend, including two Montclair neighbors Buzz Aldrin and Yogi Berra. When asked about his induction into the Hall of Fame, baseball legend Yogi Berra replied, “The Hall of Fame is a wonderful idea to teach kids and I am honored to be included with such an impressive group of individuals. Although I was born in Missouri, Carmen and I have lived in New Jersey for more than fifty years so we consider this our home. I am looking forward to being inducted along with a Montclair native son Buzz Aldrin.”
Representing Thomas Edison will be three great grandchildren of the “Man of the Millennium.” Vince Lombardi’s grandson John will be flying in from Green Bay because he knew his “grandfather would have been thrilled with the honor.”
Two major business leaders are attending to receive awards for their famous philanthropic father and grandfather respectively. Publisher and former Presidential candidate Steve Forbes will accept for his father Malcolm Forbes, a popular and generous business giant, and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson will represent his grandfather General Robert Wood Johnson, a remarkably visionary business executive and foundation founder.
The gala red carpet event on May 4th promises to be an exciting evening with several New Jersey guest performers backed by the popular La Bamba and the Hubcaps, led by New Jersey’s own Rich Rosenberg, best known for his work on the Conan O’Brien Show as well as with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. The ceremony will feature video salutes, a formal awards presentation to each inductee by special guests such as novelist Mary Higgins Clark and several surprise guests.
“This event is a great way for people to take pride in the accomplishments of the rich heritage of our state. Not everyone we are inducting was born here, but they lived here for a lot of years and called New Jersey home. These are amazing role models for all of us,” said Steve Edwards, Executive Producer for the event. “Not only is the Hall of Fame an important way to promote pride in the accomplishments of New Jerseyans, it also will be a resource for young people to learn about these role models. That’s why education is such an important part of our efforts.”
The co-chairs for this first induction ceremony are Thomas J. Marino, Partner and CEO of the accounting and consulting firm, J.H. Cohn LLP and Joyce Powell, President of the NJEA. Both firms are major sponsors of the New Jersey Hall of Fame and very committed to its success.
“The Hall of Fame has come a very long way in a relatively short period of time and J.H. Cohn is proud to be one of the lead sponsors. Not only does it build pride in New Jersey, it also will let the rest of the world know that we are more than just exits off of the Turnpike. New Jersey is a great place in which to live, work, raise a family and enjoy the best that life has to offer. Obviously a lot of amazing people have felt the same way,” said Thomas J. Marino, Partner & CEO of J. H. Cohn.
NJEA President Joyce Powell praises the educational thrust of the Hall of Fame, “As a teacher, I’m excited about the educational possibilities of the New Jersey Hall of Fame because its founders have pushed to make sure that education is central to its mission. I believe it will be a place of learning and inspiration for the children across the state and I think adults will enjoy it as well.”
Other major sponsors for the Hall of Fame include the NJSEA, Johnson & Johnson, Cablevision, Comcast, the New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Continental Airlines, PNC Bank and sanofi-aventis. Media partners include the Star-Ledger, NJ.com, NJN, My9 and New Jersey Monthly. Additional support for the gala ceremony comes from Advanced Parking Concepts, Gem Limousine, NJPAC, the Hilton Short Hills and Pernod Ricard.
Tickets to attend the New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday, May 4th are still available at $30.00 and $20.00 through the NJPAC Box Office and by calling 1 888-GO-NJOAC (466-5722). More information and updates on the gala can be found on-line at www.NJHallofFame.org
04.11.2008
SARLO TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION EXPANDING NJ HALL OF FAME
WOOD-RIDGE -- Senator Paul Sarlo announced today that he will introduce legislation next month amending the current statute governing the New Jersey Hall of Fame to allow for the Hall to exist in multiple locations.
"The New Jersey Hall of Fame should be more than just a single building housing a museum -- it should be an institution that reaches out to the citizens of New Jersey to expose them to our state's rich heritage," said Senator Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge and an original sponsor of the legislation creating the Hall of Fame. "By allowing the Hall of Fame to expand to more locations, we can help people connect prominent figures of New Jersey's past and present with their contributions to our state."
Senator Sarlo's bill would amend the "New Jersey Hall of Fame Act," to authorize the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners to establish and operate the New Jersey Hall of Fame project at a site anywhere within the State of New Jersey including but not limited to the Meadowlands complex, that is determined by the Commissioners to be appropriate to meet the requirements of the project and to best serve the interests of the public.
Senator Sarlo said he began drafting the legislation after talking with Bart Oates, former New York Giant center and current Chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners about having satellite exhibits hosted in facilities apart from the main Hall of Fame building.
Mr. Oates explained, "We're pleased that Senator Sarlo is taking the lead on this important amendment. When approved, it will not only give us the ability to open a permanent museum in the best possible site, but also open satellites in South, Central, as well as North Jersey. Schoolchildren from Cape May and schoolchildren from East Rutherford will all have access to the inspirational and educational stories the great New Jerseyans in the Hall of Fame can impart."
The New Jersey Hall of Fame was created to celebrate the state's rich history by honoring those New Jerseyans who have made invaluable contributions to society in a number of fields, including the arts and entertainment, journalism, science and technology, education, sports, business, religion, philanthropy and the military. The original legislation was approved and signed into law in 2005.
On Sunday, May 4th at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, a red carpet celebration for the inaugural class of the Hall of Fame will take place. The first class of Hall of Fame inductees will include Buzz Aldrin, Clara Barton, Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Malcolm Forbes, Robert Wood Johnson II, Vince Lombardi, Toni Morrison, Norman Schwarzkopf, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep and Harriet Tubman. For more information about the Hall of Fame, visit www.NJHallofFame.org
01.23.2008
Second Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Essay Contest Announced
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The New Jersey Hall of Fame has announced its second annual essay contest open to New Jersey students in grades 4 through 12. The contest is conducted in partnership with the New Jersey Education Association, a major sponsor of the NJ Hall of Fame.
“This contest,” said Hall of Fame Board Chair Bart Oates, “is an important part of our mission to be an educational resource for young people. Teachers and students across the state have enthusiastically embraced the Hall of Fame over the past 18 months, not only through our essay contest, but also as a lesson in voting.”
For the essay contest, students are asked to nominate potential inductees – living or dead – to the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Nominations can include famous people as well as ordinary citizens who do extraordinary things. Students should research or interview, if possible, the person they wish to nominate and write an essay no longer than 500 words.
Essays must be typed and double-spaced. The student must include his/her name, age, grade level as of March 31, 2008, address, phone number, parent/guardian’s name, school name, and school district. If the essay is a school project, the student should also include the name of the teacher who assigned the activity. Nominations must be postmarked by March 31, 2008 to be eligible and mailed to NJ Hall of Fame Contest, NJEA, 180 West State Street, PO Box 1211, Trenton, NJ 08607-1211, Attn: Dawn Hiltner.
The entries will be divided into two age categories: Intermediate (grades 4 through 8) and High School (grades 9-12). All entries will be judged by a panel comprised of NJEA and New Jersey Hall of Fame representatives. The winners will be notified in mid-April. Each winning student and three guests will be invited as VIP guests to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on May 4, 2008, held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. The winners will also receive gift certificates from the NJHOF.
The inaugural class of Hall of Fame inductees includes Buzz Aldrin, Clara Barton, Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Malcolm Forbes, Robert Wood Johnson II, Vince Lombardi, Toni Morrison, Norman Schwarzkopf, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep and Harriet Tubman. “We anticipate that most of our inductees and/or their families will join us for this exciting event,” said Oates.
Ticket information about the Hall of Fame Gala Induction Ceremony will be announced in early March. The ceremony will be co-chaired by Joyce Powell of the NJEA and Jeffrey Vanderbeek of the New Jersey Devils. Governor Jon Corzine is the Honorary Chair.
The 2007 essay contest winners were announced by Governor Corzine at a press conference in October. The two winners were Jessica Cutler from Millstone, New Jersey, and Brandon Cedeno, a student at Memorial High School in West New York. Both Jessica and Brandon and their families will be special guests of the New Jersey Hall of Fame at the May 4th Induction Ceremony.
The winning students’ nominations will be forwarded to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Academy for consideration in the 2008 voting. The Academy, comprised of more than 100 of New Jersey’s most prominent organizations, will review and ultimately select five Hall of Fame nominees in each of five categories: Arts & Entertainment, Enterprise, General, Historical and Sports. The next round of public voting will be launched in September.
Legislation to create The New Jersey Hall of Fame passed unanimously in the in the Legislature and was signed into law by the Governor in 2005. The New Jersey Hall of Fame has been created to honor New Jerseyans who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. The Hall of Fame seeks to encourage young people to strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting significant and powerful role models, the Hall of Fame when built will be a source of learning, inspiration and. Plans for a permanent state of the art museum are in the works. For more information about the Hall of Fame, visit www.NJHallofFame.org |
10.15.2007
NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME INAUGURAL CLASS OF INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED BY GOVERNOR JON CORZINE
State’s legends to be honored at red carpet ceremony Scheduled for NJPAC May, 2008
TRENTON, NJ – Sinatra, Springsteen and Streep were three prominent names announced today as Governor Jon S. Corzine introduced the New Jersey Hall of Fame’s inaugural class. The fifteen leaders and legends in the categories of Arts & Entertainment, Sports, Historical, Enterprise (comprising business and technology) and General all share one common denominator: a close relationship to New Jersey.
Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra and Meryl Streep were elected into the Arts & Entertainment Category. In the Historical Category, Thomas Alva Edison, the man of the millennium, is joined by the great scientist Albert Einstein and teacher, nurse and humanitarian Clara Barton.
The three sports figures entering the Hall of Fame are Yankee great Yogi Berra, Senator Bill Bradley and legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, whose career began in Englewood.
The Enterprise Category, open to business leaders, scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs and philanthropists, includes astronaut Edwin Eugene “Buzz” Aldrin and business leaders Malcolm Forbes and Robert Wood Johnson II, both of whom were also noted philanthropists.
In the General Category are General Norman Schwarzkopf, award winning novelist Toni Morrison and Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist who is studied by elementary school children across the state.
The Hall of Fame nomination process began in mid-2006 when a panel of experts, comprised of university professors, scientists, editors, authors and other authorities, compiled a list of more than 125 potential Hall of Famers. That list was organized into five categories and presented to the Voting Academy, a select group made up of approximately 150 of the state’s most prominent organizations as well as former Governors and chaired by Governor Corzine.
The Voting Academy selected the top five nominees in each category. Then the public was invited to vote for a period of approximately three months. During that time, schools across the state used the voting as an opportunity for learning, with classes running mock election campaigns and, in some instances, having a voting day for the entire school.
“The response from teachers and students,” said Bart Oates, Chairman of the Commission and center for the 1986 and 1990 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, “reinforces our belief that the Hall of Fame will become an important educational experience for young people and families.”
The New Jersey Hall of Fame will hold a gala red carpet induction ceremony with many New Jersey celebrities in attendance on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
Although supported by private donations, the Hall of Fame is operating under the auspices of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) and is overseen by an Advisory Commission.
Major sponsors of the museum include the NJSEA, the NEA, J.H. Cohn, the Star-Ledger and sanofi-aventis.
In addition, valuable in-kind support has been provided by Clear Channel, Comcast, Enterprise Rental Car, nj.com, the New Jersey Highway Authority, the New Jersey Restaurant Association, the South Jersey Restaurant Association, the NJ Food Council, New Jersey Monthly and South Jersey Magazine.
The public can learn more about the New Jersey Hall of Fame on-line at www.NJHallofFame.org
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12.28.2006
NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 25 NOMINEES FOR INAUGURAL CLASS OF INDUCTEES
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Thomas Edison, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Althea Gibson, Vince Lombardi – these are five of the final 25 nominees announced recently for election to the first class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame, a new museum dedicated to celebrating the leaders and legends associated with the state.
“We have so many big names from New Jersey,” said Bart Oates, former New York Giant captain who now heads up the Hall of Fame Board, “that it was difficult paring it down to the top 25. The list of those who didn’t make it, including Paul Robeson, Philip Roth, Count Basie and Bon Jovi, is just as impressive as those who did.”
Not only will the New Jersey Hall of Fame honor those who have made significant contributions to the state, the country and in many cases the world, it will also provide important role models for young people. The board plans to raise funds and construct a museum which will be a learning center where visitors can learn about those who have excelled and made a difference. Currently, the Hall exists only on the Web.
The nominees are:
In arts & entertainment, Abbott & Costello, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Meryl Streep.
In sports, Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley, Larry Doby, Althea Gibson and Vince Lombardi.
In history, Clara Barton, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Walt Whitman and Woodrow Wilson.
In enterprise, Buzz Aldrin, Malcolm Forbes, Robert Wood Johnson, Mary Roebling and David Sarnoff.
In a general category, Justice William Brennan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Toni Morrison, General Norman Schwarzkopf and Harriet Tubman.
The public can vote for their selections to The New Jersey Hall of Fame on-line at www.NJHallofFame.org. The winners will be announced in the spring and then inducted into the Hall of Fame at a gala ceremony in the fall of 2007. The major sponsors for the Hall of Fame include the New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority, J.H. Cohn LLC and sanofi-aventis. # # # # #
12.11.2006
NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME TOUTS 25 NOMINEES FOR INAUGURAL CLASS OF INDUCTEES
Public voting runs through February 28, 2007
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The New Jersey Hall of Fame recently announced 25 nominees in five categories as the new institution celebrated the rich history and legacy of the state. Leaders and legends in the categories of Arts & Entertainment, Sports, Historical, Enterprise (comprising business and technology) and General, ranging from Clara Barton to Bruce Springsteen, all share one common denominator: a close relationship to New Jersey.
The Hall of Fame nomination process began several months ago when a panel of experts, comprised of university professors, scientists, editors, authors and other authorities, compiled a list of more than 100 potential Hall of Famers. That list was organized into five categories and presented to the Voting Academy, which is the executive steering committee for the Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy is made up of approximately 100 of the state’s most prominent organizations as well as former Governors. The honorary chairman of the Academy is the Governor.
"The success and influence of these New Jersey Hall of Fame nominees is indeed extraordinary," said Governor Jon S. Corzine. "People of all ages can be inspired by these great individuals and we all can learn from their accomplishments."
The Voting Academy in turn selected the top five nominees in each category. In the field of Arts & Entertainment, the nominees are Abbott & Costello, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Meryl Streep. In Sports, the list includes Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley, Larry Doby, Althea Gibson and Vince Lombardi. In Historical, the nominees are Cara Barton, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Walt Whitman and Woodrow Wilson. In Enterprise, the nominees are Buzz Aldrin, Malcolm Forbes, Robert Wood Johnson, Mary Roebling and David Sarnoff. And in the General Category, the nominees are Justice William Brennan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Toni Morrison, General Norman Schwarzkopf and Harriet Tubman.
Now it’s the public’s turn to vote. Through February 28, 2007, the public can vote on-line at the Hall of Fame website which is www.NJHallofFame.org, or through ballots which are available at participating diners, supermarkets and convenience stores across the state. To encourage voting, the Hall of Fame is offering some exciting prizes including choice tickets to any concert at the Meadowlands.
Although supported only by private funds, the Hall of Fame is operating under the auspices of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). The museum is overseen by a Hall of Fame Advisory Commission, comprised of the former Board of Directors of the Sports Hall of Fame.
“Not only will the Hall of Fame pay homage to the extraordinary people who have made New Jersey their home,” explains Bart Oates, Chairman of the Commission and captain of the 1986 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, “we also expect the museum will eventually become a first choice destination for school trips and families once built.”
While the Hall of Fame will initially be a virtual museum, it is slated to be constructed at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, but the funds have to be raised first. “With the help of private supporters, we intend to raise the money to build a first class museum, befitting the amazingly accomplished individuals we will be honoring,” said Oates.
The prominent consulting and accounting firm J.H. Cohn, LLP has taken the lead in providing much needed support in the establishment of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “We are proud to be one of the early champions of this celebration of great men and women. It will be here that young people can find role models to inspire them as they grow to become productive members of society,” said Thomas J. Marino, CEO, J.H. Cohn, LLP.
Other sponsors include the NJSEA and sanofi-aventis.
The public can vote for their selections to The New Jersey Hall of Fame on-line at www.NJHallofFame.org. The winners will be announced in the spring of 2007.
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NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME 2007 NOMINEES
Historical
Thomas Edison (Newark; Menlo Park; West Orange) Considered the most prolific inventor in history.
Albert Einstein (Princeton) Regarded as the most important scientist of the twentieth century; awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics.
Woodrow Wilson (Princeton) The 28th president of the United States as well as Governor of the State of New Jersey.
Walt Whitman (Camden) Considered by many to be the most influential poet in U.S. history.
Clara Barton (Bordentown)) Created New Jersey’s first free public school and founded the American Red Cross.
Enterprise
Buzz Aldrin (Montclair) Along with Neil Armstrong became one of the first two humans to walk on the moon.
David Sarnoff (Princeton; Camden) Considered the father of the modern broadcast era, both radio and television.
Mary G. Roebling (Trenton) Broke the glass ceiling for women in business in general and in the financial services industry specifically.
Robert Wood Johnson II (New Brunswick; Highland Park; Raritan) President & Chairman of Johnson & Johnson; created the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Malcolm Forbes (Far Hills; Princeton) Famous publisher of Forbes Magazine and noted philanthropist.
Arts & Entertainment
Jerry Lewis (Newark) Respected actor, comedian, film producer, writer, film director and philanthropist.
Frank Sinatra (Hoboken) One of New Jersey’s best known celebrities; considered by many as the finest male popular song vocalist of all time.
Bruce Springsteen (Freehold; Asbury Park) Multiple Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/guitarist; Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
Meryl Streep (Bedminster) Considered by many to be the greatest living film actress; more Academy Award nominations than anyone else.
Bud Abbott (Asbury Park) & Lou Costello (Paterson) Famed comedy duo whose routines transcended the vaudeville stage into radio and television.
Sports
Yogi Berra (Montclair) Hall of Fame New York Yankee; played on 10 World Championship teams.
Bill Bradley (Princeton) Three-time All-American basketball player, NBA star and U. S. Senator.
Larry Doby (Paterson) Second African-American Major League Baseball player and first in the American League.
Althea Gibson (East Orange) First African-American to win a Grand Slam Tennis Event when she captured French Open in 1956.
Vince Lombardi (Englewood) Coached the Green Bay Packers to five NFL Titles and two Super Bowl Crowns.
General
William J. Brennan (Newark). Highly respected jurist; U.S. Supreme Court Justice from 1956-1990.
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. (Trenton) One of the most distinguished military leaders of the 20th Century.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (Hackensack; Princeton) Regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th Century.
Toni Morrison (Princeton) Popular and highly respected author; awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Pulitzer Prize.
Harriet Tubman (Cape May) One of the great figures involved with the Underground Railroad during the time of slavery.
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12.11.2006
NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME ON THE FAST TRACK
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The New Jersey Hall of Fame has been on a fast track since it was created by bi-partisan legislation and signed into law by former Governor Richard J. Codey on September 22, 2005. Charged with paying homage to the many extraordinary people who have made New Jersey their home, the Hall of Fame will eventually become a major museum in the state.
Although supported only by private funds, the Hall of Fame is operating under the auspices of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). The museum is overseen by a Hall of Fame Advisory Commission, comprised of the former Board of Directors of the Sports Hall of Fame. The members of the Commission have accepted the challenge.
“Once the New Jersey Hall of Fame was legislated,” explains Bart Oates, Chairman of the Commission and captain of the 1986 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, “we recognized the wonderful opportunity we had to create something special for the people of New Jersey.”
Meeting monthly, the Commission organized a plan to come up with the first class of inductees by mid 2007. Additionally, the goal was to engage to people of the state in the selection of Hall of Fame candidates.
“We hammered out a selection process,” said Oates, “and then set about attracting the most prominent organizations in the state to serve on a Steering Committee, which we have started calling our Academy, after the Academy Awards. We felt that the Academy Awards gave us a good role model to follow.”
The Commission has initially divided the Hall of Fame into five categories: sports; arts and entertainment; history; enterprise, which consists of business, science, technology, religious and military figures; and a general category to capture those not covered by the other categories. “We are learning as we go,” said Randy R. Beverly, Sr., vice chairman of the Commission and defensive star for the 1968 Super Bowl champion New York Jets. “There are only two active Halls of Fame in the United States, South Dakota and South Carolina, so we have to turn to other museums for guidance. We may add other categories in the future.”
The initial rosters of potential Hall of Famers has been compiled by an extensive Expert Advisory Panel, made up of experts drawn from the ranks of universities, journalists and other noted leaders. These rosters will be reviewed for accuracy – the only requirement is a five-year residency, although exceptions may be made – and then will go to the Academy for narrowing.
Narrowing won’t be an easy task due to the impressive numbers of Jersey greats. Once you get passed the biggest names – Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, and Thomas Edison – there are literally dozens of greats to choose from.
“The process that is underway now, is to be commended for its fairness, inclusion, and fiscal responsibility,” said George R. Zoffinger, President and CEO of the NJSEA. “Upon its completion, the HOF will provide New Jerseyans with a renewed sense of pride."
The Commission’s goal is to have five nominees in each category, although ten in arts and entertainment is more likely given the huge numbers of exceptional New Jerseyans in that category. “We expect to have larger classes of inductees for the first few years,” explains Oates, “because we are trying to populate a major museum quickly.”
The final voting will go to the public sometime in the fall through the Hall of Fame website. This strategy has placed great importance on publicity. To that end, the Commission has approved a marketing strategy and has set about raising money to implement the strategy.
“Not only is the Hall of Fame an important way to promote pride in the accomplishments of New Jerseyans, it also will be a resource for young people to learn about role models,” says Steve Edwards, a major proponent of the Hall. “That’s why education is such an important part of our efforts.”
Education is so important that the New Jersey Education Association is sponsoring a Hall of Fame essay contest, challenging students to nominate potential inductees to the Hall in a 500-word essay. There will be winners in three age categories – primary, intermediate and high school – with a selection of prizes ranging from scholarship money and gift certificates to tickets for events at the Meadowlands. The essays are due soon after the start of school in the fall.
“Whether the nominee is Walt Whitman from Camden or Philip Roth from Newark, we are hoping to engage the people of our great state in a conversation about who belongs in the Hall of Fame,” says Don Jay Smith, spokesperson for the museum. “Launching this museum will be a lot of fun for everyone and we hope will encourage discussion and debate about who belongs in the Hall. The amazing list of potential inductees will make all of us proud to be from New Jersey.”
The New Jersey Hall of Fame website at www.NJHallofFame.org has lots of information about the museum. Updates are posted regularly.
# # # # # EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information or to arrange interviews, please call Don Jay Smith, 908-832-1020. |
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10.13.2006
NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME TO PROMOTE JERSEY PRIDE
Albert Einstein, Walt Whitman, Frank Sinatra and Althea Gibson * they all considered New Jersey their home and now the state is intending to honor them in return. The New Jersey Hall of Fame, created by bi-partisan legislation in 2005, has been on a fast track for the past year on its way to becoming an important statewide museum, celebrating the accomplishments of New Jerseyans who have made a significant contribution to our society.
The Hall of Fame is projected to be a source of inspiration for people young and old. Led by an advisory commission, the new museum has been working to ensure that the state's most deserving citizens both past and present will be recognized, initially in a virtual museum on the web, but eventually in a beautiful building.
The first step for the Hall of Fame commission was to call on experts to compile a list of nominees in five areas - historical, arts & entertainment, sports, enterprise and a general category. In late summer, leaders from the state's most prominent organizations served on the Hall of Fame Academy and narrowed the list for final public voting which begins in November. The first class of winners will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 in a grand celebration, which will become an annual event held in different parts of the state.
The winning students’ nominations will be forwarded
to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners for
consideration. The Board of Commissioners will review nominees
and ultimately select Hall of Fame inductees.
For more information and to cast a vote, everyone is invited to visit the HOF website at www.NJHallofFame.org |
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06.26.2006
Who Belongs in the
New Jersey Hall of Fame?
New Jersey public school students are invited
to participate in a unique writing project. The assignment
is to nominate potential inductees for the future New Jersey
Hall of Fame. Nominations can include famous people as well
as ordinary New Jerseyans who do extraordinary things. Students
should research or interview, if possible, the person they
wish to nominate and write an essay no longer than 500 words.
Essays must be typed and double-spaced. The student must
include his/her name, age, grade level as of October 15,
2006, address, phone number, parent/guardian’s name,
school name, and school district. If the essay is a school
project, the student should also include the name of the
teacher who assigned the activity. The deadline for nominations
is October 15, 2006. Send entries to NJ Hall of Fame Contest,
NJEA, 180 West State Street, PO Box 1211, Trenton, NJ 08607-1211,
Attn: Dawn Hiltner.
Entries will be divided into three age categories: Primary
(grade kindergarten through three); Intermediate (grades
4 through 8); and High School (grades 9-12). Entries will
be judged by a panel comprised of NJEA and New Jersey Hall
of Fame representatives. The three winners will choose from
a variety of gifts, including scholarship money, gift certificates
and tickets to events at the Meadowlands . The winning student and three guests will also be invited as VIP guests to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The winning students’ nominations will be forwarded
to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners for
consideration. The Board of Commissioners will review nominees
and ultimately select Hall of Fame inductees.
Legislation to create The New Jersey Hall of Fame passed
unanimously in the Senate on May 15, in the Assembly on
June 30, and was signed into law by Gov. Richard Codey on
September 22, 2005. Under the auspices of the New Jersey
Sports and Exposition Authority, the New Jersey Hall of
Fame will honor our residents who have made invaluable contributions
to society and the world beyond. The Hall of Fame also wants
to send a message to children that they can and should strive
for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By offering
role models, the Hall of Fame seeks to become a source of
inspiration for all New Jersey children. Plans for a 50,000
sq. ft. state of the art museum are currently underway. |
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