Rider to Host State Assembly Speaker on Feb. 27

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by Rider University.

The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics of Rider University will present "An Evening with the Hon. Sheila Oliver" on Monday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercer Room on its Lawrence Township campus. Rider is located at 2083 Lawrence Rd. (Route 206 South).

Oliver, the speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, was elected to the Assembly in 2004, and represents the state’s 34th Legislative District. Following two years as assistant majority leader, and two more as deputy speaker pro tempore, Oliver became speaker in January 2010, following the retirement of her fellow Democrat, Joseph J. Roberts.

She is just the second female in New Jersey history to serve as speaker, following Republican Marion West Higgins, who held the title in 1965, and is also only the second African-American Assembly speaker, joining the Rev. S. Howard Woodson, a Democrat who first held the post in 1974.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Oliver served on the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1996 to 1999, and the East Orange Board of Education from 1994 to 2000, including her final two years as president.

The Rebovich Institute event, part of its continuing Governing New Jersey series, is free and open to the public. It will begin with a 6:30 reception, before a presentation by Oliver at 7:30, followed by a Q&A session. RSVP to Susan Cuccia at (609) 896-5350 or scuccia@rider.edu.

The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University is dedicated to public service and scholarly analysis of government, public policy, campaigns and elections in New Jersey. Generous support for The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics comes from the Hennessy Fund.

Upcoming guest-speaker events include former Gov. James J. Florio on March 22; top Republican strategist Karl Rove on April 2; and Sen. Frank Lautenberg on April 11.