March of Dimes Honors Senator Stephen Sweeney

On Friday December 12, 2014, the March of Dimes will honor New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney at its Celebration of New Beginnings breakfast by presenting him with the “FDR Visionary Award” for outstanding leadership and support of the mission of the March of Dimes - to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. The event will be held at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township beginning at 8:00 am.

The Celebration of New Beginnings event was founded by March of Dimes and Pfizer to increase public awareness of the progress, promise of cutting-edge research, and public health programs in the areas of maternal and infant health in New Jersey.

Senate President Steve Sweeney represents New Jersey’s Third Legislative District. First elected to the New Jersey Senate in 2001, he has served as Senate President since 2010.

An ironworker by trade, Senator Sweeney has been a strong advocate for organized labor and the rights of workers, having sponsored laws to raise New Jersey’s minimum wage and create the state’s Paid Family Leave program. When his daughter was born, Senator Sweeney spent nearly two months with her in the hospital, an experience that helped him craft and create New Jersey’s Paid Family Leave program. He’s also remained a tireless advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities throughout his career. In 2010, Senator Sweeney helped design and pass thirty bills, known collectively as “Back to Work NJ,” that aimed to help create jobs and economic growth in New Jersey. Continuing to fight for New Jersey’s middle class working families, in 2012 Senator Sweeney introduced legislation which would provide incentives to small businesses that hire New Jersey’s long-term unemployed. In 2014 Senator Sweeney sponsored a law that ensures students with disabilities are not prevented from participating in athletics and are provided with reasonable accommodation or modification based on individual needs of the student.

As Senate President, he has taken a leading role in promoting property tax relief and refocusing the state’s fiscal priorities. In 2011, Senator Sweeney proposed sweeping reforms to the public employee pension and health benefits systems that will save taxpayers over $120 billion over a 30 year period, and have been hailed as a national model for other states. Senator Sweeney was also instrumental in crafting the state’s new two-percent property tax cap. In 2011, Senator Sweeney was named as a “Politician Who’s Ahead of the Curve” by Philadelphia Magazine for his continued support of shared services between local government units.

In 2012, Senator Sweeney sponsored legislation that would establish marriage equality for all New Jersey residents. In 2013, Senator Sweeney sponsored legislation allowing voters the opportunity to approve a minimum wage increase. The law to raise New Jersey’s minimum wage was approved by New Jersey voters in November 2013 and took effect on January 1, 2014.

Senate President Sweeney is championing the “Sandy Bill of Rights” legislation which would help victims of Superstorm Sandy get the aid and assistance they need, and would bring more fairness to the distribution of recovery aid. The Senate President has vowed to continue to work with advocates to bring Sandy victims the answers and information they deserve.

“We are honored to be able to present Senator Sweeney with the FDR Visionary Award for his commitment to working together for stronger, healthier babies,” said Gina Radice, Executive Director, March of Dimes, North Jersey Division. “His presence coupled with his generosity and heartfelt support will help increase awareness of our mission and bring much success to this event. We are thankful to him for accepting this role as our 2014 Honoree.”

For more information on this event and to purchase tickets visit marchofdimes.org/newjersey or contact Carol Roberts at croberts@marchofdimes.org or (973) 296-8808.