Bergen County Clerk Given 'Heroes For Tolerance' Award

HACKENSACK, NJ – Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan was among this year’s recipients of a “Heroes For Tolerance” award during a special pre-game ceremony at Yankee Stadium.

The recognition, given by The Simon Wiesenthal Center during its fourth annual 9/11 commemoration event on Aug. 18, honors individuals who strive to combat anti-Semitism, discrimination and bias.

Other honorees were Steven Fulop, mayor of Jersey City, Debra Tantleff, an Englewood resident and founder of Tantum Real Estate, Mark Cannizzaro, president of the New York Council of Supervisors and Administrators for the New York public school district, and Bishop Mitchell G Taylor, founder and chief executive officer of Urban Upbound.

In presenting the award to Hogan, Michael D. Cohen, Eastern Director of the Wiesenthal Center and Englewood Council member said, “John Hogan comes from a long family history of public service and understands how to do it the right way. He understands that we are all together and we are all one community and public service is about serving everyone. The mission of the Simon Wiesenthal Center is, that from the debts of the Holocaust that Simon came out of, no one should experience that kind of hate again. Having people like John Hogan in elected office makes that mission so much easier.”

Hogan recalled the “life lessons” of his Italian immigrant grandfather, Simon Iannaccone, who said, “There is good and bad in everyone. Concentrate on the good. Get rid of the bad. Throw it over your shoulder.” Clerk Hogan added, “He also said, ‘in this country the majority rules—but don’t forget about the others.’ The echoes of my grandfather’s words have always defined my actions as an elected official.”