Lautenberg Remembered as True Leader, Champion for NJ

Following the death of longtime Sen. Frank Lautenberg early Monday morning, legislators and others from around South Jersey lauded his dedication and work to represent the state's interests.

Here's what they had to say:

Gov. Chris Christie:

I had remarks that I was going to share with all of you this morning about the role of women in government and all the rest, but it seems to me to be inappropriate to do that at this point. I think most of you may know but if you don’t, our United States Senator, Frank Lautenberg, passed away this morning. Senator Lautenberg was 89 years old and first elected to the United States Senate in 1982. Before that, had a distinguished career as the founder of ADP, one of the true New Jersey business success stories. And after a career of building that company and creating tens of thousands of jobs in the private sector, Senator Lautenberg then decided to turn his attention to public service and in 1982 was elected to the United States Senate and served there until the year 2000 when he decided to retire.

For any of you who know Senator Lautenberg, it was no great surprise that retirement did not agree with him. And so in 2002 when the opportunity presented itself because of the withdrawal of Senator Torricelli from the Senate race, Senator Lautenberg stepped forward to offer himself once again for public service to the people of New Jersey and the people of our country. And he served from 2002 when he was re-elected to the United States Senate after a two-year break and served until today when he passed.

It’s no mystery that Senator Lautenberg and I didn’t always agree. In fact, it probably is more honest to say we very often didn’t agree, and we had some pretty good fights between us over time—battles on philosophy and the role of government, but never was Senator Lautenberg to be underestimated as an advocate for the causes that he believed in and as an adversary in the political world.

I think the best way to describe Frank Lautenberg in the way he would probably want to be described to all of you today is as a fighter. Senator Lautenberg fought for the things he believed in and sometimes he just fought because he liked to.  He always reminded me that he was a kid from Paterson whose father died at a very young age, who served in the military and served his country, and then built a business which he was extraordinarily proud of, just as proud of his time at ADP as he was of his many years, nearly thirty years, in the United States Senate, and so today is a sad day for the people of New Jersey.

Whenever we lose someone who’s committed to public service and has been an honest and dedicated public servant as Senator Lautenberg was it’s a loss for everyone. Most particularly it’s a loss for his wife Bonnie and his family, and so our thoughts and prayers are with them today because whatever loss we feel as New Jerseyans and whatever loss his colleagues feel in the United States Senate is minuscule compared to the loss that his family feels, his loved ones, and so I think it would be inappropriate for me to give any other speech today except to ask all of you to pray for the Lautenberg family today, to pray for the soul of Senator Lautenberg, and to give a prayer of thanks for his service to individual New Jerseyans and to our country.

And in the end, all of you who decide to get involved in public service, should aspire to have the same things said about you in whatever role that you play. That you were honest, that you were a fighter for the things that you believe in, and that you gave as good as you got. All those things can be said about Frank Lautenberg. And so I’m sure we’re going to have a number of times over the course of the next few days to reflect upon his life and to pay him tribute in even a more public way. But for this morning, as the leader of this state and our people, I extend to the Lautenberg family and to his staff and friends, our deepest condolences.

And to Senator Lautenberg, I give him praise on a life well lived. I think we’d all signed up today for a life like Frank Lautenberg had of 89 years of fighting and fighting hard. And he’s been a great example for the people of our state and we will certainly miss him. You’re going to have a lot of other things to discuss today at the conference and I look forward to getting reports back on how things went and how they were received. I’m as committed today as I’ve always been to making sure that everybody who can make a positive contribution to government will be given the opportunity to do so and to help to make a difference in our state and our country the way Senator Lautenberg did.

State Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), Democratic candidate for Governor:

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Frank Lautenberg. Senator Lautenberg exemplified the American spirit and his commitment and devotion to the country he loved was unmatched. He always answered the call to serve—first as a soldier in the United States Army during World War II and later as Senator in the United States Senate representing the people of New Jersey. Senator Lautenberg always stood up for the principles he believed in and fought everyday to improve the lives of everyday New Jerseyans. Frank Lautenberg was an American hero and an icon in New Jersey, and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Lautenberg family during this difficult time.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ):

Today I am shaken by the loss of the senior Senator from New Jersey – a colleague and my good friend and ally. Frank Lautenberg loved his job and the people who elected him 5 times, who trusted him to always be on their side, and he always was. He was a man for New Jersey, a man for his time, one of the greatest generation, the last in the Senate to have served in World War II.

His story was an American story. He was a man who joined two of his boyhood friends to found a successful business. He did well, and gave something back and New Jersey loved and admired him for what he did for this nation, what he did to help them build a better life for themselves and their families. Whether it was his landmark drunk driving law, the 21^st Century GI Bill, or the “Toxic Right to Know” law empowering the public to know what pollutants are being released into their neighborhood, he was a fighter for New Jersey’s working families and the causes he believed in. And, in death, New Jersey’s love and admiration for him will not diminish. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Bonnie and his family.

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA):

Sen. Lautenberg leaves a long legacy of serving this country dating back to his days as a signalman in World War II. I will always appreciate that one of his last legislative acts was to return to the Senate floor, even though he was not feeling well, to vote for my amendment to enhance background checks for commercial firearms sales. It has been an honor to serve alongside Sen. Lautenberg, and Kris and I will keep his family in our prayers.

Rep. Rob Andrews (D-1):

The people of our nation and our state have benefited greatly from Senator Lautenberg's dedicated service. Our state in particular is better and stronger in many ways because of his many achievements. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are extended to his family.

Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2):

Definitely a sad day in New Jersey. Tina and I extend our deepest sympathies to Senator Lautenberg’s family, who served New Jersey with distinction and honor. I often looked to partnering with Senator Lautenberg on critical issues for our state, whether it was fighting to keep the FAA Technical Center and the Coast Guard Training Center in South Jersey or protecting beach projects vital to our coastal communities. I was proud to call Frank a friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Lautenberg family, his staff and all New Jersey residents who lost a true champion.

Rep. Jon Runyan (R-3)

“I am deeply saddened to hear that New Jersey’s senior senator, Frank Lautenberg, has passed away. Senator Lautenberg was a loyal public servant who spent nearly 30 years working tirelessly on behalf of the people of New Jersey. As our last serving World War II veteran in the United States Senate, Mr. Lautenberg had an unwavering commitment to serving our state and country. He was a statesman, committed public servant, and was among the finest of the “Greatest Generation.” Senator Lautenberg will be greatly missed and I offer my thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and loyal staff during this very difficult time.”

State Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland):

Senator Lautenberg was a dedicated public servant who fought vigorously for the people of New Jersey. He leaves behind an amazing legacy of pushing for the rights of the working poor and middle class. While a man of means, he never, ever lost sight of helping working people. He will be missed. We have lost a true leader.

State Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-Camden/Burlington):

New Jersey has lost a passionate and dedicated public servant. As a legislator, Sen. Lautenberg led in passing vital legislation: banning smoking on airplanes, improving services for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventing domestic abusers from obtaining firearms. As a leader, he was never afraid to fight for what he believed in or to stand up for the needs of New Jersey. His presence in the U.S. Senate and in our state will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Lautenberg's family during this difficult time.

State Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic)

This is a sad day for New Jersey. Our state has lost one of its most dedicated public servants and a dear friend to us all. It's hard to imagine New Jersey without Frank Lautenberg advocating for the issues important to us all. His energy was relentless. His intellect was sharp. His work ethic was an example to us all. I will miss Sen. Lautenberg and his guidance, leadership and friendship. On behalf of the New Jersey General Assembly, I offer our prayers and condolences and will forever remember Sen. Lautenberg as one of New Jersey's finest leaders.

State Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Essex/Somerset/Morris/Union):

“Our state has lost a dedicated servant who served in Congress for almost 30 years. We appreciate his service to New Jersey and the United States. On behalf of Assembly Republican caucus, I wish to offer our sincerest condolences to his wife, Bonnie, their children and grandchildren.”

State Democratic Party Chairman John S. Wisniewski:

With the death of Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey has lost a powerful advocate of great integrity and the country has lost a person whose life embodied the American Dream. New Jersey’s loss is also a personal loss for his family and I wish to extend my condolences to his wife, his children and his grandchildren.
 
Raised in poverty in Paterson, Frank Lautenberg served his country in World War II, returned to become a titan of American business with the founding of ADP and then began a second career of public service in the United States Senate. Throughout his life, he used his position to defend the powerless and to create opportunities for those that society too often left behind.
 
It was in his work in the U.S. Senate on transportation issues that I truly came to know Senator Lautenberg. The Senator understood the value of our transportation network to New Jersey’s economy and quality of life and was dogged in his pursuit of transportation funds to improve and maintain our roadways and commuter rails. He understood that such infrastructure spending helped create jobs and bring people into the middle class. Senator Lautenberg was also a passionate voice in defense of our environment and against the scourge of gun violence in our country.
 
New Jersey has lost a giant.

Gloucester County Democratic Committee chairman and state Sen. Fred Madden:

Today we mourn the loss of a great man. From his brave service during World War II through his long and distinguished tenure in the United States Senate, Frank Lautenberg has always been an individual of extraordinary integrity and achievement. The State of New Jersey, and our country as a whole, are better for his tireless commitment to the public good. On behalf of the Gloucester County Democratic Party, I send my deepest condolences to the Lautenberg family.

Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr.:

Today the freeholder board will keep U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s family in our thoughts and prayers as we observe the passing of an elected official and businessman that always fought for the people of New Jersey. From his humble upbringing in Patterson, N.J., to his service in World War II, the Senator always embodied the face of public service in this state. As we think back on his tenure as an elected official he will be remembered for the long hours he spent fighting for health of our citizens whether it was raising the drinking age or prohibiting smoking. In addition, the Senator was always an advocate for public transportation projects and common sense gun regulations. As we reflect on Sen. Lautenberg’s legacy it will be covered in advocacy for the residents of this state. The Camden County freeholder board sends their sincere condolences to this son of poor immigrants that proved time and again that with hard work and a strong passion anything is possible.

The Camden County Democratic Committee:

Senator Lautenberg was a tireless advocate for the people of New Jersey. We are deeply saddened by his passing and our condolences go out to his family.

The Burlington County Democratic Committee:

For decades, Frank Lautenberg was a dedicated public servant and fought each day on behalf of New Jersey's middle class. His principle and integrity will be deeply missed. Rest in Peace, Senator.