Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. Receives Endorsement of NJ State FMBA

The NJ State Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association recently announced its endorsement of Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) for his long time advocacy of the fire service and in particular, for his work in support of H.R. 4090, the Fire Grants and Safety Act, a measure that Kean championed in the House of Representatives that will provide critical funding to "enhance resources for training, recruitment and retention of firefighters, better equipment, and improved response capabilities". Congressman Kean has long been a supporter of the fire service as a NJ State Legislator and was himself a volunteer firefighter in earlier days. In even earlier days, his father, two-term (1982-1990) NJ Governor Tom Kean, Sr. was also an advocate of the fire service and a key player in the formation of the NJ State Uniform Fire Code, the NJ State Fire Safety Commission, and the NJ Bureau of Fire Safety (now the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs). Governor Kean also received the support and endorsement of the NJ State FMBA for his bold leadership and energetic support of the fire service and the tenets of good fire safety legislation. Governor Kean went on in later years to serve as the President of Drew University in Madison and in December, 2002, was named by then-President George W. Bush as Chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, or simple known as "The 9-11 Commission". Tom Kean (both of them) actually descended from a long and impressive line of national political leaders, including William Livingston, New Jersey's first Constitutional Governor. Governor Livingston, elected in 1776 by New Jersey's first legislative body, also commanded the state militia during the Revolutionary War (spoiler alert: we won; the British lost) and went on to serve 13 one-year terms as Governor until his death in 1790. Fascinating family history but certainly on the merits of his own exemplary service, we are most fortunate to have Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. fighting the good fight for New Jerseyans on multiple fronts in Washington. As reported by NJ State FMBA President Ed Donnelly, an organization representing over 6,000 career Firefighters, EMTs, and Dispatchers,"Congressman Kean was a supporter of firefighters during his tenure in the New Jersey Legislature and has been a breath of fresh air in Washington, D.C...the Fire Grant and Safety Act will unequivocally save lives...we applaud Congressman Kean for rolling up his sleeves and getting this Legislation done." Emphasizing the importance of the Fire Grant and Safety Act, Congressman Kean stated, "We are building stronger, safer communities for New Jersey families and families across the nation. I feel that it is our basic duty as leaders to ensure that responders have the resources and support they need to do their job."

And now you know, the rest of the story (well, at least some of it, with more to come...stay tuned).

DON HUBER 08-16-24